Spell a word · 5 letters

How to spell KOREA in sign language

Korea 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 KK
ASL handshape for the letter OO
ASL handshape for the letter RR
ASL handshape for the letter EE
ASL handshape for the letter AA

Letter by letter

  1. K Index and middle fingers extended upward in a V, with the thumb placed between them resting on the middle finger knuckle; ring and pinky curled.
  2. O All fingertips curved forward to touch the tip of the thumb, forming a closed O circle.
  3. R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  4. E All four fingers curled tightly down into the palm with the thumb tucked horizontally underneath the fingertips.
  5. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.

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.