“What” is the universal shrug, made official. Open palms shake side to side under a questioning face — the first question word most signing toddlers produce.
How to Sign “What” in ASL
Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Open the hands: Both hands open and relaxed, palms up, in front of you.
- Shake: Move them side to side a small amount, like an exaggerated shrug.
- Ask with your face: Eyebrows down and head tilted slightly forward — in ASL the face marks the question.
Lowered eyebrows mark “wh-” questions in ASL grammar — the face is not decoration, it is the question mark.
Step-by-Step Photos
Photos: Rodasmith via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
When to Use It With Your Child
- At mystery sounds: A siren outside — “What is that?” with the sign and big curious eyes.
- In games: Hide a toy under a cup and sign “what?” before the reveal.
- When they babble-point: Answer their gesture with “what? the truck?” — modeling the question they meant.
Tips for Success
- Your facial expression teaches as much as your hands here — be theatrical.
- Any palms-up shrug counts; this one has a generous margin for error.
- “What” plus pointing covers half of toddler curiosity — encourage the combo.
Signs Related to “What”
“Where” (a wagging index finger) and “who” (L-hand at the chin) extend the question set. Wh-question signs all share the lowered-brow face — learn the face once and it works for all of them.
Most toddlers enter their famous “what’s that?” phase between 18 and 24 months — a signed “what” simply opens the floodgates earlier.