How to sign "when" in ASL

How to Sign "When"

“When” is signed by making a circular motion with your dominant index finger around your non-dominant index finger, then landing on it:

• Hold your non-dominant index finger straight up.
• Use your dominant index finger to circle around it once, clockwise.
• Finish by touching the tip of your dominant finger to the tip of the stationary one.

Watch a demo here

Tips

• Think of time circling around and arriving at a moment.
• Keep your non-dominant finger still — it represents the fixed moment in time.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the full circle — don’t make it a short flick.
• Letting both hands move — only the dominant hand should circle.

Think: “Time circles back to when it happens.”