Learning how to sign what in ASL gives your child a way to communicate before words arrive. “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.
Learn more: National Association of the Deaf — ASL resources and advocacy from the National Association of the Deaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start teaching my baby how to sign what in ASL?
You can introduce the sign for what as early as 14–18 months. Babies understand signs before they can produce them, so start modeling it consistently and reward any attempt — even an approximation — with the item or action right away.
How long does it take for a baby to learn to sign what?
Most babies begin producing a recognizable version of the sign for what within two to four weeks of consistent daily modeling. Frequency matters more than perfect form at this stage — sign it every time the word comes up naturally in your routine.
Is the ASL sign for what the same in baby sign language programs?
Yes. Most baby sign language programs teach the authentic ASL sign for what. Using real ASL rather than invented gestures means your child’s signs will be understood by Deaf signers and build a foundation for learning more ASL as they grow.