Spell a word · 5 letters

How to spell CHASE in sign language

Chase fingerspelled in ASL is 5 handshapes, signed one after another with the palm facing out. Hold each for a beat and keep the hand in one place; the letters carry the word, not the movement.

ASL handshape for the letter CC
ASL handshape for the letter HH
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter SS
ASL handshape for the letter EE

Letter by letter

  1. C Fingers and thumb curved into an open C shape, palm facing sideways.
  2. H Index and middle fingers extended together, pointing sideways; thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  3. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  4. S A closed fist with the thumb wrapped across the front of all curled fingers.
  5. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.

Fingerspelling is how ASL handles names, places, brands and words without a sign of their own. Many everyday words do have a sign, so if you are learning ASL as a language, learn that sign too; this page shows how the word is spelled with the manual alphabet.