How to Sign “Pencil” in Sign Language

Although physical pencils are not as popular as they used to be, there’s now digital pencils that are used with tablets!

Signing “Pencil”

  1. Hand shape: On your dominant hand, touch your index finger to your thumb, as if holding a pencil. Form your non-dominant hand into a closed “5” handshape, palm facing up.
  2. Hand location: Raise your hands to about chest level.
  3. Movement: Touch your dominant fingers to your mouth, then bring to your non-dominant hand, as if writing on a piece of paper.
  4. Facial expression: Keep a neutral facial expression.

Note

This is also how you sign “pen” or “stylus.”

Break Communication Barriers

Learn more signs on our regularly updated ASL page! As you're picking up sign language, try using Ava for more meaningful conversations with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.