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How To Sign HAVE
in American Sign Language.
ASL LOVE
🤟 How to sign
To sign "HAVE" in American Sign Language (ASL), use both hands in bent handshapes with fingertips touching your chest, representing possession or ownership of something.
📖 Word definition
To possess, own, or hold something; to experience or be characterized by a particular condition or quality.
🎯 Detailed Hand Movement Guide

  1. Hand Shape: Both hands in bent handshape (all fingers curved and together, thumbs extended).
  2. Starting Position: Hands positioned in front of your chest, palms facing your body.
  3. Movement: Bring both hands simultaneously to touch your chest with fingertips.
  4. Path: Direct inward movement toward the center of your chest.
  5. Hand Orientation: Palms face your body throughout the sign, fingertips point toward chest.
  6. Facial Expression: Neutral to slightly assertive, showing ownership or possession.

⚠️ Common Mistakes & What to Avoid

❌ Wrong handshape: Use bent handshape, not flat palms or fists.

❌ One hand only: Both hands must move together to touch chest.

❌ Wrong location: Touch chest area, not stomach or shoulders.

❌ No contact: Fingertips must actually touch your chest to show possession.

💬 Common Sentence Examples

"I have a car."
How to sign: Point to yourself ("I") → sign "have" (bent hands touch chest) → sign "car" (hands grip steering wheel motion).
"Do you have time?"
How to sign: Point to person ("you") → sign "have" → sign "time" (index finger taps wrist where watch would be) with questioning facial expression.
"We have three children."
How to sign: Sign "we" (index finger points to self then sweeps to include others) → sign "have" → sign "three" (thumb, index, middle fingers up) → sign "children" (pat air at child height).