How to Sign Sorry in Sign Language
Learn how to sign 'sorry' in ASL. Make a fist with your thumb at the side (A handshape) and rub it in a circle over your chest. Step-by-step guide and tips.
Published · 2 min read · Free · No sign-up
Quick answer
To sign 'sorry' in ASL, make a fist with your thumb resting against the side (an A handshape), place it on the center of your chest, and rub it in a circular motion. The closed fist circling over the heart conveys a sincere apology.
How to Sign Sorry in Sign Language
“Sorry” is an essential sign for everyday courtesy and sincere apology in American Sign Language (ASL). To make it, form a fist with your thumb resting against the side of your index finger — this is the A handshape — place the fist on the center of your chest, and rub it in a circular motion. The closed fist circling over the heart communicates genuine regret.
Like “please,” this sign lives at the chest, near the heart, which gives it an emotional, heartfelt quality. A sincere facial expression completes the meaning.
Step-by-Step: Signing Sorry
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Handshape | Close your dominant hand into a fist, thumb against the side (A handshape). |
| 2. Palm orientation | Turn the palm side of the fist toward your chest. |
| 3. Location | Place the fist on the center of your chest. |
| 4. Movement | Rub the fist in a smooth circle, usually clockwise from your view. |
| 5. Expression | Show a regretful, sincere face to match the apology. |
Keep the motion gentle and even — two or three small circles is enough.
Sorry vs. Please: Telling Them Apart
These two signs share a location and motion, so the handshape is what distinguishes them.
| Sign | Handshape | Location | Motion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorry | Closed fist (A handshape) | Center of chest | Circular rub |
| Please | Flat open palm | Center of chest | Circular rub |
A quick memory aid: a closed fist is “sorry,” because it can feel tight and apologetic, while an open hand is “please,” an open, inviting gesture.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a flat hand. An open palm turns the sign into “please.” Keep the hand in a closed fist.
- Circling on the stomach or shoulder. Center the fist on the chest for clarity.
- Tapping instead of rubbing. The motion is a continuous circular rub, not a single tap.
- Neutral or blank face. A sincere, apologetic expression is grammatically and emotionally important in ASL.
Sorry Across Sign Languages
Apologies are signed differently across the world’s independent sign languages.
| Sign Language | Approach |
|---|---|
| American (ASL) | Closed fist circling on the chest |
| British (BSL) | Uses its own distinct gesture |
| Australian (Auslan) | Related to BSL; differs from ASL |
| French (LSF) | Has its own vocabulary for apology |
Related Signs to Learn Next
“Sorry” pairs naturally with these courtesy and emotion signs:
- PLEASE — flat hand circling on the chest.
- THANK YOU — flat hand from the chin, moving outward.
- EXCUSE ME — fingertips brushing across the open palm.
- FORGIVE — brushing the fingertips across the open palm (similar to excuse me).
- MY FAULT / FAULT — relevant when taking responsibility in an apology.
Because apologies are part of everyday life, “sorry” is a high-value sign to learn early. Combine the closed-fist chest circle with a genuine facial expression and your apology will read clearly and sincerely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you sign 'sorry' in ASL?
Make a fist with your dominant hand and rest your thumb against the side of your index finger to form an A handshape. Place the fist on the center of your chest and rub it in a circular motion. This circular rub with a closed fist over the heart is the ASL sign for 'sorry.'
What is the difference between 'sorry' and 'please' in sign language?
Both signs circle on the chest, but the handshape differs. 'Sorry' uses a closed fist (A handshape), while 'please' uses a flat open hand. Remembering 'closed fist equals sorry, open hand equals please' keeps the two apart.
How do you sign 'I'm sorry' as a full phrase?
You can sign the pronoun I by pointing to your chest, then sign SORRY by circling a fist over your heart. In everyday use, the single SORRY sign with a sincere facial expression often stands in for the whole phrase 'I'm sorry.'
Does facial expression matter when signing 'sorry'?
Yes. Facial expression is part of ASL grammar, so a regretful or apologetic face is essential when signing 'sorry.' A sincere expression conveys the depth of the apology and prevents the sign from looking flat or insincere.
Which direction should I circle my fist for 'sorry'?
Most signers circle the fist clockwise from their own viewpoint, but the exact direction is not critical to being understood. What matters most is the closed A-handshape fist, the placement on the center of the chest, and the smooth circular motion.