Click on Tachibana-kun to see an animation of sign language.
Let’s start with signs you can use in your daily life
Good morning
Japanese Sign Language
Tilt your head down toward the fist of one hand as if it were a pillow, and when you raise your head, lower that hand at the same time (meaning “wake up,” sign for “morning”) + Bend both forefingers together face to face as if bowing (sign for “greetings”)
International Sign Language
Place the right hand on the chin and bring it forward, then cross both hands open from bottom to top
Good morning
Japanese Sign Language
Good morning
International Sign Language
Hello
Japanese Sign Language
Place the index and middle fingers of your right hand together on your forehead (representing noon on a clock. Sign for “noon”) + sign for “greetings”
International Sign Language
Place your right hand over your forehead and bring it forward
Hello
Japanese Sign Language
Hello
International Sign Language
Good evening
Japanese Sign Language
Place your hands on each side of your face, palms facing forward, and cross them in front of your face (representing nightfall. Sign for “evening”) + sign for “greeting”
International Sign Language
Place your right hand on your chin and bring it forward, then cross your hands from top to bottom, keeping them open
Good evening
Japanese Sign Language
Good evening
International Sign Language
Thank you
Japanese Sign Language
Place your right hand vertically on the back of your left hand, raise only your right hand, and bow your head slightly
International Sign Language
Remove your right hand from your mouth (blowing kiss)
Thank you
Japanese Sign Language
Thank you
International Sign Language
Please
Japanese Sign Language
Bring your right hand with fingers straight in front of your nose, then put it forward
International Sign Language
With your right hand open, rub it like a circle on your chest
Please
Japanese Sign Language
Please
International Sign Language
I'm sorry
Japanese Sign Language
Place your thumb and forefinger between your eyebrows with a pinching gesture, then open your hands and bend your head while lowering your hands with your fingers together from top to bottom
International Sign Language
Clasp and turn your right hand in front of your chest
I'm sorry
Japanese Sign Language
I'm sorry
International Sign Language
Let’s express our feelings with Japanese sign language!
Happy (joyful)
Move your open hands up and down alternately in front of your chest
Angry
Bend the fingers of both hands and push them up from around your stomach at the same time
Sad
Put the tips of the thumb and forefinger together on both hands and lower them from the eyes to the cheeks, alternating from left to right
Happy (joyful)
Japanese Sign Language
Angry
Japanese Sign Language
Sad
Japanese Sign Language
Let’s cheer on the players
Go for it
Make a fist with both hands and bring them down twice
Congratulations
Lightly clasp your hands around the front of your stomach and lift them up, opening them quickly
Good job
Clench your fist and tap twice between the elbow and wrist of the other hand
Go for it
Japanese Sign Language
Congratulations
Japanese Sign Language
Good job
Japanese Sign Language
It’s okay (don’t worry)
Place the fingertips of your right hand, slightly bent, on your left breast and then on your right breast
Clapping
Raise both hands above your head and let them flutter
Cheering
Place both fists on top of each other and move them left and right as if waving a flag, then tap the upraised thumb of the left hand twice with the right hand as if pushing it forward
It’s okay (don’t worry)
Japanese Sign Language
Clapping
Japanese Sign Language
Cheering
Japanese Sign Language
Let’s introduce ourselves in sign language!
My name is ◯◯◯◯
My
name is
Let's use
finger letters
for ○○○○
○○○○
Japanese letters a, i, u, e, o represented by fingers (*from the other person's point of view)
A  Alphabetic character “a” |
I  Alphabetic character “i” |
U  Alphabetic character “u” |
E  Alphabetic character “e” |
O  Alphabetic character “o” |
Ka  Alphabetic character “k” |
Ki  “Ki” is for kitsune (fox) |
Ku  Sign language numeral “nine” |
Ke  Hand shape of salute |
Ko  “コ(ko)” in katakana |
Sa  Alphabetic character “s” |
Shi  Sign language numeral “seven” |
Su  “ス (su)” in katakana |
Se  “Se” is for “se ga takai (tall)” |
So  Gesture of pointing |
Ta  Alphabetic character “t” |
Chi  “チ(chi)” in katakana |
Tsu  “ツ(tsu)” in katakana |
Te  Represents hand itself |
To  “To” means “~ and ~” |
Na  Alphabetic character “n” |
Ni  Sign language numeral “two” |
Nu  “Stealing” gesture |
Ne  Shape of tree roots |
No  Gesture of drawing “ノ (no)” in katakana |
Ha  Alphabetic character “h” |
Hi  Sign language numeral “one” |
Fu  “フ(fu)” in katakana |
He  “ヘ (he)” in katakana |
Ho  Shape of “ship sail” |
Ma  Alphabetic character “m” |
Mi  Sign language numeral “three” |
Mu  Sign language numeral “six” |
Me  Shape of an eye |
Mo  Showing “same” in sign language |
Ya  Alphabetic character “y” |
Yu  Shape of steam |
Yo  Sign language numeral “four” |
||
Ra  Alphabetic character “r” |
Ri  “リ (ri)” in katakana |
Ru  “ル (ru)” in katakana |
Re  “レ (re)” in katakana |
Ro  “ロ (ro)” in katakana |
Wa  Alphabetic character “w” |
Wo  Make the same shape as the sign for “O” and pull it toward you |
N  Drawing “ン (n)” in katakana |
||
Voiced consonant character  Move the original finger character about 10 cm to the side. |
Semi-voiced consonant character  Move the original finger character up by about 10 cm |
Long vowels  Stretching gesture |
Choked sound and contracted sound  Pull the original finger character toward you |
Quiz challenge!
Click on the item you think is correct! You can see the answer and explanation!
Q7
What is the meaning of the sign language that represents the Deaflympics?
- The logo
- The sun
- OK sign
Q7
○
CORRECT
The hand shape is a sign that means “OK”, “GOOD” and “GREAT” and it represents the sign language of the Deaflympics.
Q7
×
INCORRECT
Let's try again!
