Few small gestures carry as much weight as a simple thank-you, and in sign language that weight sits in your fingertips, your movement, and your face. The American Sign Language (ASL) sign starts with one flat hand at the chin and moves forward and slightly down, a form documented by Strong ASL Dictionary (ASL video dictionary).

4 related posts

Sign language families: ASL (French tradition) vs. BSL (British tradition) ·
ASL “thank you”: chin to forward-down, ending toward the other person ·
BSL “thank you”: flat hand from chin, forward and down ·
Common beginner mistake: mixing up “good” and “thank you”

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Eight sign details, one pattern: the meaning lives in the movement, and the details that look minor — start point, speed, facial expression — are exactly what turn a gesture into a word.

Factor What to know
ASL sign for thank you Touch the chin with flat fingertips, then move the hand down and forward.
BSL sign for thank you Flat hand starts at the chin and moves away from the signer.
Common mistake Using “good” instead of “thank you” and vice versa.
Language families ASL and BSL are distinct signed languages, not regional dialects of one language.
ASL handshape Extended fingers pressed together, with the thumb held to the side.
BSL style No sharp flick or exaggerated flourish required.
Speed Moving the BSL sign too quickly can make it less clear.
Facial expression A fixed smile is not a required part of the BSL sign.

How do you sign “Thank you” in sign language?

Start with the form that matches the language you’re learning. The ASL and BSL versions both begin near the chin, but they belong to different sign language families, so the details below matter more than the broad similarity.

The standard ASL sign

  • Use one flat hand with the fingers together and the thumb at the side — the handshape documented by Strong ASL Dictionary (ASL video dictionary).
  • Bring the fingertips to your chin or just below your mouth, with the palm facing you.
  • Move the hand forward and slightly downward in one smooth motion. ASL Bloom (ASL learning app) describes the palm ending slightly toward the person you’re thanking.
  • Keep the movement deliberate — no rush, no flick.
The upshot

The chin is the anchor. Get the start position right, and the rest of the sign is one clean outward arc.

How to sign thank you so much in ASL

  • Use the same chin-to-outward movement, but make it bigger or repeat it — a common way to add emphasis is a double-handed or repeated version of the same sign.
  • Let your face carry the sincerity; in signed conversation, the expression and the gesture work together.

Emphasis changes the size, not the shape. A larger arc and a warmer expression turn a standard “thank you” into “thank you so much” without creating a different word.

How to say thank you in British Sign Language (BSL)

  • The documented BSL form also starts at the chin: one flat hand, palm facing you, moving forward and down (Lead Academy (UK sign language training provider)).
  • Use one dominant hand rather than automatically copying a two-handed version.
  • Speed matters: moving the sign too quickly makes it harder to read (Deafened Organization (deafness and BSL education)).
  • No sharp flick or exaggerated flourish is required for the BSL form.

How do I sign “please” and “thank you”?

The ASL sign for “please” is made with a flat hand circling on the chest. The sign for “you’re welcome” is often signed similarly to “please” or with a simple nod. Sustaining eye contact during signing is an essential sign of respect, as noted by BSL Course (British Sign Language learning resource).

Politeness in Deaf culture: Eye contact is a key part of respect. Getting a person’s attention with a light tap or wave is appropriate.

How do I sign “I’m sorry”?

The ASL sign for “sorry” involves making a fist and rubbing it in a circle over the chest. Non-manual markers (facial expression) are key to conveying sincerity, as BSL Course emphasizes for all signs. “Excuse me” uses a different sign, typically a similar handshape moving near the chest or space.

How do you sign hello and thank you in sign language?

“Hello” is commonly signed with a wave of the hand, often starting near the forehead. “Bye” is signed with an open hand closing and opening repeatedly. “I love you” uses the combined ILY handshape (index, pinky, thumb extended). “How are you” combines the signs “how” and “you” with an eyebrow raise. These signs, like all signs, rely on facial expression and context for clarity, as BSL Course points out.

Learners who anchor the handshape at the chin and choose one sign language family avoid the most common errors in signing “thank you”.

The implication: the two signs look similar on paper but belong to different language families. Choose one sign language first, then learn its “thank you” — don’t mix the two.

What is the difference between “good” and “thank you” in American Sign Language?

For beginners, the two signs live in the same neighborhood of the face, and that’s exactly why they get mixed up. The handshapes and the starting points are the clues that separate them.

Visual differences in handshape and movement

  • “Good” uses one flat hand that starts near the mouth and moves down, ending with the palm up.
  • “Thank you” starts at the chin with the fingertips together and moves outward and down.
  • The handshape is the giveaway: a full flat hand for “good” versus fingers pressed together with the thumb to the side for “thank you” — the contrast Strong ASL Dictionary (ASL video dictionary) documents in its sign entries.

Contextual clues to avoid confusion

  • Watch where the sign starts: “good” begins around the mouth, “thank you” on the chin.
  • Watch where it ends: “good” finishes low with the palm up; “thank you” finishes directed toward the other person.
  • In a sentence, the signs around it disambiguate the meaning — a single isolated sign is where beginners slip.
The trade-off

Mix these two up in front of a Deaf signer and you’re not making a small pronunciation error — you’re using a different word entirely.

The pattern: paying attention to the start position and handshape keeps beginners from confusing two entirely different words.

What this means: the start position is doing the grammatical work. Beginners who focus on the chin instead of the overall shape fix the confusion before it starts.

Are there different dialects in sign language?

Yes — and the differences can be as large as the gap between English and a completely unrelated language. ASL and BSL are distinct signed languages, not regional versions of one language, as Lead Academy (UK sign language training provider) puts it.

ASL vs BSL differences

  • ASL grew from the French Sign Language tradition, while BSL belongs to the British sign language tradition — two separate language families.
  • Learners should not assume that a sign, alphabet, or grammatical feature transfers directly between ASL and BSL.
  • The two are not mutually intelligible, so a person fluent in ASL does not automatically understand a BSL signer.

Regional variations within ASL

  • Regional variation is normal in sign languages. BSL, for example, shows regional and individual variation in speed, facial expression, and exact execution (Deafened Organization (deafness and BSL education)).
  • ASL follows the same pattern: local signs for everyday words like “birthday” or “pizza” can differ between cities such as Atlanta and New York.
  • In practice, the core “thank you” sign stays broadly stable, but its speed and expression shift from person to person.

The implication: committing to one sign language and learning from local Deaf community resources ensures the sign you learn is the right one for your region.

The catch: dedication to one sign language matters more than collecting gestures from several. A fluent “thank you” in the language your local Deaf community uses beats a loose repertoire of signs from everywhere.

ASL vs. BSL: the “thank you” sign compared

Four comparison points, one pattern: both signs start at the chin, but the languages behind them have separate histories — so similar-looking gestures are not the same sign.

Aspect ASL “thank you” BSL “thank you”
Start position Chin or just below the mouth At or near the chin
Handshape One flat hand, fingers together, thumb to the side One flat hand, palm facing the signer
Movement Forward and slightly down, ending toward the other person Forward and down, with no flick or flourish
Speed and expression Smooth and deliberate; the face carries sincerity Too much speed makes it unclear

The pattern to remember: similar starting point, separate language families. That’s why “same gesture” tourist guides miss the point — the visual overlap hides a grammatical distance.

Learning to sign “thank you”: pros and cons

Is this the best first sign to learn? For most people, yes — but the trade-offs are worth naming before you start.

Upsides

  • “Thank you” works in both formal and informal situations, so it’s useful from day one.
  • It introduces the three core building blocks of signing: handshape, movement, and non-manual markers.
  • It’s a social sign — you’ll use it often, which means more practice in real conversations.

Downsides

  • It’s easy to confuse with “good” in ASL, so beginners need extra attention to the start position.
  • Written guides can teach the shape but not the timing; without video, you may learn a stiff version.
  • Regional variation means the version you learn may not match what local signers use.

The trade-off: a simple-looking sign is still a full linguistic act. Learn it from motion, not text, and you skip the most common beginner errors.

How to learn the “thank you” sign — step by step

Seven steps, one goal: build the sign correctly, then build the habit.

  1. Pick one sign language: ASL in North America, BSL in the UK. Don’t mix them.
  2. Learn the handshape: one flat hand, fingers together, thumb relaxed at the side.
  3. Touch the chin with your fingertips — this start position is the part beginners get wrong.
  4. Move forward and slightly down in one motion, ending with the palm toward the other person.
  5. Practice in front of a mirror, as the snapshot above recommends, and check both your hand movement and your facial expression.
  6. Watch native signers in video dictionaries; written descriptions can’t capture the motion (Lead Academy (UK sign language training provider)).
  7. Use it in context — after a meal, when someone opens a door, when a colleague helps you — so the sign becomes part of your conversation, not a performance.

Practicing regularly in front of a mirror using video references helps beginners build accurate muscle memory.

The habit beats the tutorial: short daily practice in front of a mirror teaches the hand more than passive watching.

What’s confirmed, what’s still unclear

Because the research on this topic is thinner than on spoken languages, it helps to separate what’s solid from what’s open.

Confirmed facts

What’s still unclear

  • The exact origin of the ASL gesture — the leading informal description compares it to a kiss sent outward (Safety and Health Foundation (sign language education resource)).
  • Whether a simple nod is a full substitute for “thank you” in longer conversations remains an open question.
  • Regional variation shapes the sign’s speed and expression in ways that haven’t been mapped across the global Deaf community.
  • The myth that the BSL sign needs a flick or flourish persists, but the standard documented form does not include it (Lead Academy).
Why this matters

This topic carries more uncertainty than most word-level guides admit. Treat any single “definitive” diagram with caution and defer to native signers in your local community.

The pattern: even with uncertainties, the core instructions for beginners remain consistent across sources.

Sign language educators on saying thanks

“Facial expression, eye gaze, body movement, timing, and context contribute to natural signed communication — the hands are only part of the message.”

— BSL Course (British Sign Language learning resource)

“The movement is commonly described as resembling sending a kiss or gratitude outward from the mouth.”

— Safety and Health Foundation (sign language education resource)

What these voices share: the hands are the visible part, but timing, face, and context carry the meaning. Learn the sign from motion, not from a frozen frame.

Why the right “thank you” matters

A thank-you is a relationship word: it acknowledges effort, attention, or kindness. In sign language, the gesture only lands when the handshape, movement, and expression line up — and when it matches the language your conversation partner actually uses. For a beginner choosing between ASL and BSL, the path is clear: pick one sign language family, learn the form from video, and practice in front of a mirror — or you may offer a heartfelt “thank you” in the wrong language.

Additional sources

ukdeafsport.org.uk, aslinteractive.com

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to practice the handshape for “thank you” in ASL?

Practice slowly in front of a mirror: flat hand, fingers together, thumb to the side, fingertips at the chin. Speed comes later; accuracy comes first.

Is it considered impolite to sign “thank you” to a close friend in Deaf culture?

No — but a full sign with strong emphasis may feel overly formal among close friends. A quick version of the sign or a simple nod often fits the moment better.

How do you sign “no problem” or “don’t mention it” in response to thanks?

There isn’t one universal sign. Many signers respond with “you’re welcome,” a small nod, or a phrase like “no problem” in their local sign language — the response varies by region and context.

What is the sign for “appreciate it” in ASL?

The ASL sign for “appreciate” is related to “thank you”: it starts near the chin and moves outward, often with a slightly larger or more deliberate motion. The exact nuance depends on the sentence.

How do you appropriately get a Deaf person’s attention to thank them?

Use a light tap on the shoulder or a wave within their field of vision — never grab or block their view. Eye contact during the thank-you is part of the respect.

Are there different signs for “thank you” in formal vs. informal ASL?

The core sign stays the same. Formality shows up in the size of the motion and the facial expression, not in a separate vocabulary word.

Can you sign “thanks” with just a thumbs up gesture?

A thumbs up is a gesture, not a sign language word. In casual conversation it may be understood, but it doesn’t replace the standard “thank you” sign in either ASL or BSL.

These FAQs give beginners a practical grasp of how ‘thank you’ fits into everyday signed conversation.

These questions address the practical concerns that arise when learning to sign “thank you” and engaging with Deaf culture.

Related reading

These links offer additional context on the differences between ASL and BSL thank you signs.