Spell a word · 9 letters

How to spell HYDERABAD in sign language

Hyderabad fingerspelled in ASL is 9 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 HH
ASL handshape for the letter YY
ASL handshape for the letter DD
ASL handshape for the letter EE
ASL handshape for the letter RR
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter BB
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter DD

Letter by letter

  1. H Index and middle fingers extended together, pointing sideways; thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  2. Y Thumb and pinky extended outward to opposite sides; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into the palm.
  3. D Index finger extended upward; middle, ring, and pinky curled to meet the thumb, forming a small circle.
  4. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
  5. R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  6. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  7. B Four fingers straight up and together, thumb folded flat across the palm.
  8. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  9. D Index finger extended upward; middle, ring, and pinky curled to meet the thumb, forming a small circle.

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.