PLEASE in sign language

In this word entry, learn how to sign 'please'. And watch a short video how the baby utters the magical word to get something she wishes.

ASL signs for "please"

How do you say 'please' in ASL (American Sign Language)?

Used as a polite addition to requests, commands, etc.; kindly.

Pronunciation/articulation: Dominant horizontal flat hand (handshape), palm in (orientation) on the chest (location), moves in a circular motion (forward, not backward from the signer's perspective -- clockwise motion?).

Learner tip: Don't confuse this ASL sign with "PLEASED" or 'PLEASURE" with a nuance.

More common ASL signs: THANK-YOU, WELCOME, excuse me.

Baby signing "please"

See how an ASL-speaking baby acquires the word "please" in ASL sign language.

At about age 1;3, this baby in the video above acquired the concept "please" in ASL. During this similar time frame, she also picked up the new word "sorry".

At age 1;9 in the video clip, the baby referred to the family video album which she wanted to watch the video clips of herself (good-bye to the dear ol' photo albums).

At age 2;1, she signed "please" before "hot chocolate". It's very subtle that can be very easily overlooked.

Slangs and colloquialisms

If you want something or request for something so badly that you'd want to really beg, beg, beg to convince your buddy or little brother or older sister, you probably use a slang, bringing two flat hands together (the similar sign as "pray") with the mouthing "ppp". Get the picture? :)

Or, you'd probably say "please" with kind of a demand. The movement of the ASL sign "please" is inflected to more of a brief non-circular motion and firm facial expression. You'd probably find this with a Deaf parent making a firm request of a stubborn child to do something. I suppose it's similar with the vocal tone in the hearing world, right? In disguise, it's a parental beg, ha. :)