How to sign “Stopping” in ASL

Everyday Basics

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

Step by step

  1. Hold your non-dominant hand flat, palm up.
  2. Bring your dominant flat hand down sharply onto the palm, like a karate chop.

Practice tip

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

Fingerspell “Stopping”

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

ASL handshape for letter SASL handshape for letter TASL handshape for letter OASL handshape for letter PASL handshape for letter PASL 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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