Spell a word · 5 letters

How to spell PUTRA in sign language

Putra 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 PP
ASL handshape for the letter UU
ASL handshape for the letter TT
ASL handshape for the letter RR
ASL handshape for the letter AA

Letter by letter

  1. P Same handshape as K, but angled downward with the index and middle fingers pointing toward the ground.
  2. U Index and middle fingers extended straight up and held tightly together; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
  3. T A fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger, peeking out between the index and middle fingers.
  4. R Index and middle fingers extended upward and crossed (middle finger over index); thumb holds the ring and pinky down.
  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.