How to Sign "Told" in Sign Language

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), "told" usually uses the same sign as "tell." ASL generally does not add a past-tense ending to a verb the way English adds "-ed" or changes "tell" to "told." The past is shown through context or a time sign, such as one meaning "yesterday" or "already/finished." The TELL sign is commonly described as the extended index finger starting at or near the chin and moving outward toward the person who was told.

Which sign language you mean changes the answer. This guide assumes ASL, the main sign language in the US. British Sign Language, Russian Sign Language and other national sign languages have their own signs and grammar, so a description of the ASL sign will not carry over to them. If you searched in Russian ("Как показать «told» на жестовом языке"), check whether you need ASL or Russian Sign Language, because the signs differ.

Step by step: signing "told" in ASL

• 1. Extend the index finger of your dominant hand, the hand you write with, and curl the other fingers.
• 2. Bring the fingertip to or just in front of your chin, near the mouth, where speech comes from.
• 3. Move the hand forward and away from the chin, toward the person who received the message.
• 4. Show that the event is in the past. You can set the time first with a time sign, or rely on context the conversation has already established.
• 5. Use facial expression and the overall sentence to show meaning. Grammar in ASL is not carried by the hands alone.

Direction shows who told whom

TELL is commonly treated as a directional verb in ASL. The path of the movement can show who did the telling and who received it. Moving toward the person you are addressing suggests "I told you." A movement that ends toward yourself is used for "told me." Moving toward a point in space you have assigned to someone else refers to that person. Because these details depend on the sentence, a single isolated sign may not fully capture "I told her" or "they told me."

If you meant "what was said"

Some searches like "what is told in sign language" are really asking how to report someone's words, as in "he said" or "she mentioned." ASL has related signs and ways of quoting people, including taking on the speaker's role with body shifts. These are separate from the basic TELL sign. A teacher can show you which one fits your sentence.

Checking your sign on camera

If you are practicing or signing on a video call, record yourself or look at your self-view to check your form. Your face and the space in front of your chest should be fully in frame, since the sign starts at the chin and moves outward. Even, front-facing light helps make the handshape visible. A plain physical background usually shows hands more clearly than a busy one. Virtual background or blur effects can sometimes cut off or smear moving hands, so test whether they hide your signing before you rely on them.

Keep in mind that a working camera is not the same as clear signing on the other end. The camera may be allowed and capturing video, but call quality can still blur fast movement. Ask the person you are signing with whether they can see your hands clearly.

Limits of this guide

No dictionary entry, video or other source was provided for this article. The description above reflects the commonly taught form of the sign and general ASL grammar, not a verified reference. Signs vary by region, community and generation, and a written description cannot fully capture movement, timing or facial grammar. To confirm the sign, compare it with a reputable ASL video dictionary or ask a Deaf signer or qualified ASL instructor to watch you sign it.