How to sign “Played” in ASL

Everyday Basics

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

Step by step

  1. Make Y handshapes with both hands, thumbs and pinkies extended.
  2. Hold both Y-hands in front of your chest, a few inches apart.
  3. Twist both wrists back and forth in a playful alternating shake.
  4. Keep the palms facing toward each other through the whole shake.
  5. Smile and look lively, since PLAY always carries a fun feeling.

Practice tip

Past form of “Play” — signed with the base sign; time is shown separately, not on the verb.

Fingerspell “Played”

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 LASL handshape for letter AASL handshape for letter YASL handshape for letter EASL handshape for letter D

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.

Browse all 1121 signs in the dictionary