American Sign Language

Production

• This one-handed ASL sign is produced as follows:
  1. 
     Posture the dominant hand in the “open B” handshape on the chest, dominant palm facing back.
  2. Move the dominant hand around the chest, at least one full circle.

• When used as a noun, the hand is held briefly before and after the circling movement.
• Stokoe: []B_⊤^@_X

Adverb

(ASL gloss: PLEASE)

1. please; would you please; used in a polite request

   OpenB@Chest-PalmBack CirclesSurface BentB@Inside-PalmUp-OpenB@CenterChesthigh-PalmUp BentB@Palm-FingerTipDown-OpenB@CenterChesthigh-PalmUp OpenB@BackFinger-PalmDown-OpenB@CenterChesthigh-PalmDown OpenB@BackWrist-PalmDown-OpenB@CenterChesthigh-PalmDown

   PLEASE AGAIN SLOW (“Please repeat that slowly.”)

Usage notes

• (please, would you please, used in a polite request): This is the most common use for this sign. Less common uses are below.

Synonyms

• (please): A pleading facial expression with slightly raised eyebrows during the signing of the verb.

Verb

(ASL gloss: PLEASE)

1. (dated, transitive) to please (someone); to gratify
2. (dated) to enjoy; to like
3. (intransitive) to appreciate

Usage notes

• (to appreciate, to enjoy, to like): The sign 5@Chest-PalmBack 8@NearChest-PalmBack ‎(“to like”) is used more frequently in this sense.

Synonyms

• (to appreciate, to enjoy, to like): 5@Chest-PalmBack 8@NearChest-PalmBack

Adjective

(ASL gloss: PLEASE)

1. willing

Noun

(ASL gloss: PLEASURE)

1. enjoyment; pleasure

Related terms

• OpenB@Chest-PalmBack-OpenB@Trunk-PalmBack RoundSurface-RoundSurface ‎(“to enjoy; to have fun”)