How to Sign Help Me in Sign Language
Learn how to sign 'help' and 'help me' in ASL. Rest a thumbs-up fist on your open flat palm and lift both hands up together, then direct it toward yourself.
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To sign 'help' in ASL, make a thumbs-up fist with one hand, rest it on the open flat palm of your other hand, and lift both hands upward together. To sign 'help me,' direct that lifting motion toward your own body to show you are the one receiving help.
How to Sign Help Me in Sign Language
“Help” is one of the most important practical signs to know in American Sign Language (ASL), and “help me” simply adds direction. To sign HELP, make a thumbs-up fist with one hand, rest it on the open flat palm of your other hand, and lift both hands upward together as a single unit. The flat hand supports and raises the fist — a clear picture of one person lifting or assisting another.
To sign “help me,” direct that lifting motion toward your own body, showing that you are the one receiving the help. To sign “help you,” push the motion outward toward the other person.
Step-by-Step: Signing Help
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Dominant hand | Make a fist with the thumb pointing up (thumbs-up A handshape). |
| 2. Non-dominant hand | Hold it flat and open, palm up. |
| 3. Position | Rest the thumbs-up fist on the open flat palm. |
| 4. Movement | Lift both hands upward together as one unit. |
| 5. Direction | Toward yourself for “help me”; outward for “help you.” |
The two hands move together — the flat palm never lets go of the fist as they rise.
Help, Help Me, Help You: Directional Signing
ASL uses direction to show who gives and who receives. The base HELP sign stays the same; only the movement direction changes.
| Phrase | Direction of Movement | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Help | Straight up, neutral | General “help” |
| Help me | Lift toward your own body | You receive help |
| Help you | Push outward toward the person | You give help |
| Help him/her | Move toward the third person’s location | Help directed to someone else |
This directionality is a core feature of ASL grammar and applies to many verbs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the thumbs-up. The lifted hand must be a fist with the thumb pointing up, not a flat hand.
- Letting the hands separate. The flat palm and the fist rise together as one unit.
- Ignoring direction. Without directing it toward yourself, the sign reads as a general “help,” not “help me.”
- Confusing it with “support.” “Support” pushes one fist up under the other; “help” lifts a thumbs-up fist on the open palm.
Help Across Sign Languages
Requests for help are signed differently across the world’s independent sign languages.
| Sign Language | Approach |
|---|---|
| American (ASL) | Thumbs-up fist on flat palm, lifted together |
| British (BSL) | Uses its own distinct gesture |
| Australian (Auslan) | Related to BSL; differs from ASL |
| French (LSF) | Has its own vocabulary for help |
Related Signs to Learn Next
“Help me” pairs naturally with these practical and emergency-related signs:
- PLEASE — flat hand circling on the chest.
- STOP — chop the side of one hand into the open palm of the other.
- EMERGENCY — the E handshape shaking side to side.
- NEED — a bent index finger (X handshape) moving down firmly.
- WANT — both palms up, curling and pulling toward the body.
Because it is useful in daily life and in urgent moments, “help” — and the directional “help me” — is among the most valuable signs to learn early in your ASL journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you sign 'help' in ASL?
Make a fist with your thumb pointing up (a thumbs-up A handshape) and place it on the open, flat palm of your other hand. Then lift both hands upward together as a single unit. The flat hand 'supports' and raises the fist, picturing one person lifting or helping another.
How do you sign 'help me' versus 'help you'?
The base HELP sign is directional. To sign 'help me,' move the lifting motion toward your own body so you are the one being helped. To sign 'help you,' push the motion outward toward the other person. The direction shows who gives and who receives the help.
Which hand holds the fist and which stays flat?
Typically your dominant hand makes the thumbs-up fist and your non-dominant hand stays flat underneath as the supporting palm. You can switch if it feels more natural; what matters is that the flat palm lifts the thumbs-up fist upward together.
Is 'help' a good emergency sign to know?
Yes. 'Help' is one of the most important practical signs, useful in everyday situations and emergencies alike. Combined with directional movement for 'help me,' it lets you quickly request assistance. It is a valuable early sign for both children and adults.
What is the difference between 'help' and 'support' in sign language?
'Help' lifts a thumbs-up fist on the open palm upward, picturing aid. 'Support' typically pushes one fist up under the other in a steadier, pushing-up motion. They are related in meaning and form, but 'help' emphasizes lifting and 'support' emphasizes holding up.