Hack (karate)
Handshape: B Hand
Memory Aide: the action of hacking/chopping at something
Example of sentence usage: She learned how to hack the boards in half for her black belt exam.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: chop
Hail (bow, worship)
Handshape: Open Hands
Memory Aide: your arms moving to hail/bow down to someone
Example of sentence usage: All hail the Queen!
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: reverence
Haircut
Handshape: V Hand
Memory Aide: scissors cutting hair
Example of sentence usage: He got a shave and a haircut at the barbers.
Hairdryer (blow – dry, blow – dryer)
Handshape: L Hand
Memory Aide: using a hairdryer
Example of sentence usage: She used the hairdryer on her long, wet locks.
Hairspray
Handshape: Index Finger Hand
Memory Aide: pumping on hairspray
Example of sentence usage: The hairspray held every hair in place!
Consider using this sign for: spray on hair products
Hamburger
Handshape: Curved Hands
Memory Aide: forming a patty in your hands
Example of sentence usage: She put the hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: patty
Hammer
Handshape: A Hand
Memory Aide: using a hammer
Example of sentence usage: She used a hammer to pound in the nail.
Hand Lotion (lotion)
Handshape: Open Hands
Memory Aide: rubbing hands together to rub in hand lotion
Example of sentence usage: She rubbed the lotion on her dry hands.
Hand Sanitizer
Handshape: Index Hinger Hand (dominant) and Open Hand (nondominant)
Memory Aide: pumping sanitizer on the palm of your hand
Example of sentence usage: He used the hand sanitizer to kill the germs.
Handbag (luggage, purse, suitcase)
Handshape: S Hand
Memory Aide: holding a handbag close to your body
Example of sentence usage: She kept her wallet, keys, and phone in her purse.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: pocketbook
Handgun (gun, pistol)
Handshape: L hand
Memory Aide: shooting a handgun
Example of sentence usage: She practiced shooting her handgun at the range.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: firearm, piece, revolver, rod, weapon
Handshake
Handshape: Open Hand (nondominant) and Curved Hand (dominant)
Memory Aide: giving your other hand, a handshake!
Example of sentence usage: They sealed the business deal with a handshake.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: shake hands
Hang Up The Phone
Handshape: Y Hand
Memory Aide: putting the phone back into the receiver
Example of sentence usage: He was so mad that he hung up the phone on her.
Harmonica
Handshape: Flattened C Hands
Memory Aide: using a harmonica
Example of sentence usage: She placed the harmonica to her lips and began to play.
Harp
Handshape: 5 Hands
Memory Aide: playing a harp
Example of sentence usage: His hands swept the strings of the harp.
Haunt (monster, spooky)
Handshape: Curved 5 Hands
Memory Aide: Frankenstein haunting with his arms in the air!
Example of sentence usage: The ghost haunts the old mansion.
Hawaii
Handshape: Open Hands
Memory Aide: hula dance
Example of sentence usage: There are five volcanos in Hawaii.
Headphones (earphones)
Handshape: Curved 5 Hands
Memory Aide: headphones cupping the ears
Example of sentence usage: I put on my headphones and turned on the music.
Hello (salute)
Handshape: B Hand
Memory Aide: a formal “hello” salute
Example of sentence usage: Hello! Nice to meet you!
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: Greetings! Howdy!
Hesitate
Handshape: Open Hands
Memory Aide: sentiment of hesitating by pushing back on something
Example of sentence usage: He hesitated, not sure what to say.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: pause, reluctant, shy away
Hey
Handshape: 5 Hand
Memory Aide: waving the hand to get one’s attention
Example of sentence usage: Hey! Pay attention!
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: whoa!
Hi
Handshape: Open Hand
Memory Aide: waving hi!
Example of sentence usage: Hi! What’s your name?
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: Hiya! Yo!
Hit (punch)
Handshape: S Hand
Memory Aide: hitting with the fist
Example of sentence usage: He threw the first hit in the fight.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: strike
Hitchhike
Handshape:10 Hand
Memory Aide: sticking out one’s thumb to catch a ride
Example of sentence usage: She hitchhiked across the country.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: thumb a ride
Holler (call, call out, cry out, yell)
Handshape: C Hand
Memory Aide: hand held at the mouth helping your voice to holler
Example of sentence usage: The fans hollered and whooped when they won the championship.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: hoot, howl, scream, shout
Hood (poncho)
Handshape: Modified X Hands
Memory Aide: lifting a hood and covering your head
Example of sentence usage: He covered his head with a hood when the rain started.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: hoodie
Hooked On (addicted)
Handshape: X Hand
Memory Aide: Mime you are hooked on something by tugging at the corner of your mouth
Example of sentence usage: He is hooked on smoking.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: dependent on
Hug (affection, affectionate, embrace))
Handshape: S Hands
Memory Aide: Mime showing affection with a hug
Example of sentence usage: She hugged her baby.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: clasp, squeeze affectionately
Huh (what)
Handshape: 5 Hands
Memory Aide: a natural gesture of questioning “huh/what?”.
Example of sentence usage: Huh? I don’t understand.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: Eh? (slang)
Hurrah (rally)
Handshape: S Hands
Memory Aide: natural gesture of encouraging excitement at a pep rally
Example of sentence usage: They shouted hurrah!
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: hooray, yahoo, yippee
Hypodermic (inject, shot, vaccine)
Handshape: L Hand
Memory Aide: giving yourself a hypodermic needle
Example of sentence usage: The little boy was scared to get the hypodermic.
Synonyms to start matching your sign to English now: syringe
