SIT in sign language

"How do you sign 'sit' in American Sign Language?"

ASL sign for SIT

Meaning: To rest with the torso vertical or upright and the body supported on the buttocks which rest on a chair, the ground, etc. Also "take a chair".

Pronunciation (sign description): Dominant "H" hand, palm down, held in space just above non-dominant "H" palm-down hand, moves onto the top of the fingers of the base hand.

Learner tip: Be aware of the noun-verb pair by the movement of the signs for SIT or SIT-DOWN (a single, slightly longer movement for this verb) and CHAIR (a couple of shorter movements for this noun). Though, CHAIR has a slightly different (bent-V) handshape.

Phrases

sit down:

Meaning: to sit down on a chair (bench, sofa, or another).

If you happen to see an ASL speaker signing more than one movement in a particular context, it's a plural verb (for example, telling everyone to sit down -- glossed as SIT-DOWN++++). Perhaps, it's likely found in a classroom where a teacher tells deaf children to sit down.

Vocabulary

Related signs: CHAIR, PERCH, CROUCH, SQUAT, SEAT, SLOUCH, LOUNGE, KNEEL.

Antonym: STAND, RISE, GET UP.

Usage/Grammar

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Written ASL

[Note: ASL writing is not an official standard. This sign language writing remains in a state of open space to allow room for experiment, evolution, and improvement.]

How to write ASL for SIT

Written ASL digit for "SIT". [Contributed by ASLwrite, 2019]

One dot at the end of a line for one movement.

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Search Tips and Pointers

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If you cannot find (perhaps overlook) a word but you can still see a list of links, then keep looking until the links disappear! Sharpening your eye or maybe refine your alphabetical index skill. :)

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ASL has its own grammar and structure in sentences that works differently from English. For plurals, verb inflections, word order, etc., learn grammar in the "ASL Learn" section. For search in the dictionary, use the present-time verbs and base words. If you look for "said", look up the word "say". Likewise, if you look for an adjective word, try the noun or vice versa. E.g. The ASL signs for French and France are the same. If you look for a plural word, use a singular word.