How to sign nothing in American Sign Language

Sign #1 (1 of 6)

Definition:

Absence of anything

Sign Instructions:

Begin with both hands next to each other in front of you with your hands vertical and your palms oriented away from yourself. Then, slightly shake your hands from side to side a couple of times.

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Example Video

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Beginning and End Frames

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End of Sign

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Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Dominant Handshape for nothing
Keep your index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers together and straight, bend them all at the knuckle at a 90-degree angle, and reach your thumb to the tip of your index finger.

Non-Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Non-Dominant Handshape for nothing
Keep your index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers together and straight, bend them all at the knuckle at a 90-degree angle, and reach your thumb to the tip of your index finger.

Sign #2 (2 of 6)

Sign Instructions:

Place your hand in front of and just below your face with your palm oriented up, then bend your head and blow on your palm.

Videos

Example Video

Tutorial Video

Sequential Image Breakdown

Sequential Breakdown of nothing

Beginning and End Frames

Beginning of Sign

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End of Sign

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Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Dominant Handshape for nothing
Extend your fingers and press them together, with your thumb sticking out to the side.

Non-Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Non-Dominant Handshape for nothing
Extend your fingers and press them together, with your thumb sticking out to the side.

Sign #3 (3 of 6)

Sign Instructions:

Begin with the index finger side of your hands next to each other. Then, move both hands away from each other and slightly forward.

Videos

Example Video

Tutorial Video

Sequential Image Breakdown

Sequential Breakdown of nothing

Beginning and End Frames

Beginning of Sign

First Frame of nothing

End of Sign

Final Frame of nothing

Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Dominant Handshape for nothing
Keep your index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers together and straight, bend them all at the knuckle at a 90-degree angle, and reach your thumb to the tip of your index finger.

Non-Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Non-Dominant Handshape for nothing
Keep your index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers together and straight, bend them all at the knuckle at a 90-degree angle, and reach your thumb to the tip of your index finger.

Sign #4 (4 of 6)

Sign Instructions:

Begin with both palms oriented toward each other with your hands in front of you. Then, move both hands together in unison away from yourself.

Videos

Example Video

Tutorial Video

Sequential Image Breakdown

Sequential Breakdown of nothing

Beginning and End Frames

Beginning of Sign

First Frame of nothing

End of Sign

Final Frame of nothing

Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Dominant Handshape for nothing
Keep your index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers together and straight, bend them all at the knuckle at a 90-degree angle, and reach your thumb to the tip of your index finger.

Non-Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Non-Dominant Handshape for nothing
Keep your index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers together and straight, bend them all at the knuckle at a 90-degree angle, and reach your thumb to the tip of your index finger.

Sign #5 (5 of 6)

Sign Instructions:

Begin with your hand horizontally in front of your chin with your palm oriented toward yourself. Then, move your hand up and to the side of your face while briefly blowing onto your hand as it moves by your mouth.

Videos

Example Video

Tutorial Video

Sequential Image Breakdown

Sequential Breakdown of nothing

Beginning and End Frames

Beginning of Sign

First Frame of nothing

End of Sign

Final Frame of nothing

Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Dominant Handshape for nothing
Extend your fingers and press them together, with your thumb sticking out to the side.

Sign #6 (6 of 6)

Sign Instructions:

Begin with your hands oriented downward and the index finger sides of your hands touching the sides of your chin. Then, bring your hands down and away from each other changing your hands from a "S" handshape to a "5" handshape.

Videos

Example Video

Tutorial Video

Sequential Image Breakdown

Sequential Breakdown of nothing

Beginning and End Frames

Beginning of Sign

First Frame of nothing

End of Sign

Final Frame of nothing

Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Dominant Handshape for nothing
Extend all fingers to show the number five, spreading them out.
Dominant Handshape for nothing
Make a fist with all fingers curled over the thumb, which is tucked in front of the fingers.

Non-Dominant Handshapes for this sign

Non-Dominant Handshape for nothing
Extend all fingers to show the number five, spreading them out.
Non-Dominant Handshape for nothing
Make a fist with all fingers curled over the thumb, which is tucked in front of the fingers.

About the Creator

Paul Kelly, a nationally certified sign language interpreter and the founder of strongasl.com, has dedicated his career to bridging communication gaps through sign language. As a CODA (child of deaf adult), with deep personal and professional roots in the deaf community, Paul brings a unique blend of personal insight and professional expertise to his work.

His experiences range from legal to entertainment interpreting, including teaching sign language to celebrities like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. His passion for innovation is evident in the AI-driven features of this dictionary, aiming to make sign language more accessible for all.

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