Tells you when baby wants food
HUNGRY
Slide a C-shaped hand down the center of your chest
How to Sign “Hungry” Step by Step
The ASL sign for hungry traces food’s path down the body with a C handshape.
Curve one hand into the shape of the letter C, palm facing your body.
Place the C at the top of your chest, just under your throat.
Slide the C straight down toward your belly. That feeling = hungry.
Memory trick for parents: Picture food sliding down to your stomach. The C shape is the “food pipe” tracing the route.
When to Use the Sign for “Hungry” With Your Baby
Use the sign for hungry around mealtimes or when fussing seems food-related:
- Before offering a snack — ask “Are you hungry?” with the sign
- Pair with eat and more to round out mealtime vocabulary
- When fussiness happens 2–3 hours after the last meal
What Your Toddler’s Version Will Look Like
Expect a friendly approximation at first — refinement comes with practice:
- Patting the belly
- Sliding the whole flat hand instead of a C
- Rubbing the chest in a small circle
If the gesture is consistent and means “hungry”, honor it — respond as if they said the word. The tidy adult version comes later.
Mistakes to avoid when modeling the sign
- Don’t make the C too small — keep it visible.
- The motion is downward only, not up and down.
- Don’t confuse with “please” (a circle on the chest with a flat hand).
Signs to Learn Next
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hungry the same sign as wish?
Yes, the handshape and motion are identical. Context (food vs. wanting) tells them apart.
How early can baby sign hungry?
Many babies copy it around 10–14 months once they’ve linked food to relief from the hungry feeling.