Spell a word · 6 letters

How to spell MUMBAI in sign language

Mumbai fingerspelled in ASL is 6 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 MM
ASL handshape for the letter UU
ASL handshape for the letter MM
ASL handshape for the letter BB
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter II

Letter by letter

  1. M A fist with the thumb tucked under three fingers (index, middle, ring), peeking out between the ring and pinky fingers.
  2. U Index and middle fingers extended straight up and held tightly together; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
  3. M A fist with the thumb tucked under three fingers (index, middle, ring), peeking out between the ring and pinky fingers.
  4. B Four fingers straight up and together, thumb folded flat across the palm.
  5. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  6. I Pinky extended upward; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into a fist with the thumb resting across them.

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.