← Back
How To Sign FOOD
in American Sign Language.
ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "FOOD" in American Sign Language (ASL), use your dominant hand with fingertips together, bringing them to your mouth in a small tapping motion, as if putting food into your mouth.
📖 Word definition
Any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink or that plants absorb in order to maintain life and growth.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide

  1. Hand Shape: Dominant hand with all fingertips touching thumb (closed "O" handshape).
  2. Starting Position: Hand positioned a few inches away from your mouth.
  3. Movement: Bring fingertips to mouth in a small tapping motion.
  4. Path: Short, direct movement toward the mouth, then slightly away.
  5. Hand Orientation: Fingertips pointing toward mouth throughout the sign.
  6. Facial Expression: Neutral expression, focusing on the mouth area.

⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid

❌ Using flat hand: Use fingertips together, not flat palm.

❌ Too far from mouth: Fingertips should actually touch or nearly touch lips.

❌ Multiple taps: One clear tap is sufficient, not repeated tapping.

❌ Wrong handshape: All fingertips must touch thumb, not loose fingers.

💬 Common Sentence Examples

"I like good food."
How to sign: Point to yourself ("I") → sign "like" (middle finger on chest, pull away) → sign "good" (flat hand from mouth forward) → sign "food" (fingertips to mouth).
"The food is delicious."
How to sign: Sign "the" (T handshape) → sign "food" (fingertips to mouth) → sign "delicious" (middle finger on chin, twist forward with pleased expression).
"We need more food."
How to sign: Sign "we" (point to self, then others) → sign "need" (bent index finger moves down) → sign "more" (fingertips tap together) → sign "food" (fingertips to mouth).