How to sign “Paying” in ASL

Everyday Basics

BSL and ASL are different languages — this is the American sign. See the BSL sign for “Paying” instead

Step by step

  1. Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up.
  2. Touch the tip of your dominant index finger to the center of the open palm.
  3. Flick the index finger forward off the palm toward the person being paid.
  4. Keep the moving finger's palm facing sideways during the flick.
  5. Aim the flick at the recipient and keep your expression matter-of-fact.

Practice tip

“Paying” is signed with the base PAY sign — ASL/BSL marks ongoing action on the sign, not with a separate word.

Fingerspell “Paying”

Letter by letter — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.

ASL handshape for letter PASL handshape for letter AASL handshape for letter YASL handshape for letter IASL handshape for letter NASL handshape for letter G

See all ASL handshapes in the alphabet reference

Text-based guide researched from established ASL references (Lifeprint, university and public-health materials) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade.

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