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How To Sign ANNOY
in American Sign Language.
ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "ANNOY" in American Sign Language (ASL), use your dominant hand in a "5" handshape with fingers spread, placing it at the side of your forehead and making small, repeated jabbing motions toward your temple area.
📖 Word definition
To irritate or make someone slightly angry; to cause mild anger or impatience through persistent actions or behavior.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide

  1. Hand Shape: Dominant hand in "5" handshape with all fingers extended and spread apart.
  2. Starting Position: Hand positioned at the side of your forehead, near the temple area.
  3. Movement: Make small, sharp jabbing motions toward the temple, repeating 2-3 times.
  4. Path: Short, quick movements directly toward the head, as if poking at your thoughts.
  5. Hand Orientation: Palm facing toward your head, fingertips pointing at temple area.
  6. Facial Expression: Show mild frustration or irritation with furrowed brow and slightly tense expression.

⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid

❌ Wrong location: Sign at temple area, not center of forehead or ear.

❌ Too gentle: Use sharp, jabbing motions to show irritation.

❌ Single motion: Repeat the jabbing movement 2-3 times for emphasis.

❌ Neutral face: Show annoyed facial expression to match the meaning.

💬 Common Sentence Examples

"My brother annoys me."
How to sign: Sign "my" (flat hand on chest) → sign "brother" (L hand at forehead, then clasp hands) → sign "annoy" (5 hand jabs temple) → point to yourself "me".
"That noise is annoying."
How to sign: Point "that" → sign "noise" (shake both hands by ears) → sign "annoy" (with ongoing facial expression showing irritation).
"Stop annoying the teacher."
How to sign: Sign "stop" (flat hand hits palm) → sign "annoy" → sign "teacher" (flat hands at forehead, then person marker).