Signs for FIVE (5)

Meaning: Equivalent to the sum of two and three; one more than four, or half of ten; 5.

Note: The palm orientation should face toward the signer for a cardinal number. For time, age, and others, palm orientation should be facing outward.

Related signs that are anything to do with "five": NICKEL (five cents), FIVE STAR, FIVESOME or QUINTET, FIFTY-FIVE (55), QUINTUPLE, FIVEFOLD (five times), PENTAGON (five-sided shape), PENTAGRAM (five-pointed star), PENTACLE (five-pointed star within a circle), PENTAD (a group of five).

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.]

ASL writing for FIVE

Contributed by ASLwrite.

Deaf Culture and tidbits

Vocabulary Activity

In ASL class, this one of some handshape-based vocabulary activities is a great review activity for the mid-term exam and final exam. I split my students into trios or fours and have them list as many dominant-handed 5-handshape words as possible for a limited time (3-5 minutes).

Typical ASL signs or words in ASL 111/101: FIVE (of course!), FINE, SLOW, DETEST, ...

ASL 112/102: NOISE, DEER, RELAX/ED/ING, ...

Fun Trivial Game

If you take any number, double it and add ten, divide by two and then subtract your original number, the remaining number will always be five.

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