TOUGH in sign language

"Tough times never last, but tough people do." -- Dr. Robert Schuller.

ASL signs for "tough"

In American Sign Language, some of these signs may be interchangeable, some not in other contexts. Tough to set a line. Learn from observing everyday usages.

Meaning: requiring great determination or effort.

Pronunciation (sign description): Dominant palm-down "10" or "S" (variation) a bit above non-dominant palm-down "10" or "S" (variation) moves down past the non-dominant hand.

Context / usage examples: "His young sister is smart and tough", "Rugby is really a tough sport".

Related signs: RESILIENT, ROUGH.

Variation: involving considerable difficulty or hardship.

Pronunciation (sign description): Dominant palm-in "clawed-V" hand in space a bit above non-dominant palm-in "clawed-V" moves down past the non-dominant hand.

Context / usage examples: "a very tough decision" (sometimes "HARD"), "life is tough", "the test was quite tough".

Meaning: strong and durable; not easily broken or cut. See DURABLE, STURDY, STRONG.

For beginners, having a tough time which one of these signs to use? When in doubt, you can use HARD.

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