How to say “I love you” in sign language in 6 different languages
I love you is one of the most important phrases in any language. So much so that most languages have more than one way of communicating the sentiment.
In this article, you will find a guide to saying “I love you” in the 6 most common sign languages.
Slang – I love you
This slang way of saying I love you has been absorbed into the language thanks to the rise in Text Speech. It is used in most of the sign languages that are based on English, but people using most other languages would understand it.
The sign is also known as ILY (i love you). The sign is made up of a combination of those three letters. This is a more casual way to say I love you.
This sign only requires one movement.
Start with all fingers down.
Raise the pinky finger (this represents the I and the Y). Raise your index finger (this represents the L). Finally, stick out your thumb (this represents the L and the Y). Face your palm towards the person.
I love you – ASL
(ASL – American Sign Language)
Another way to say “I love you” in ASL is as follows. This is a slightly more formal way of saying “I love you” – one you would use with a parent, child, or partner.
- Action 1 – point to yourself, over the heart
- Action 2 – make fists with your hands and then cross your arms over your heart. Like you are pulling someone in for a hug
- Action 3 – point at the person you are speaking to
I love you – BSL
(BSL – British Sign Language)
British and American Sign Languages do differ in many ways. However, you will occasionally find a set of signs that are very similar. BSL is used in the UK and most English-speaking countries in the Commonwealth.
This sign can be used in all situations.
- Action 1 – point to yourself, over the heart
- Action 2 – flatten your hands and cross them gently over your chest. Like you are pressing something into your heart.
- Action 3 – point at the person you are speaking to
I love you – ISL
(ISL – Irish Sign Language)
You may be surprised to learn that Irish Sign Language is closer to French Sign Language than it is BSL. Despite the country speaking English.
You can use both the English and the French versions of this phrase in ISL.
Or you can do the following movement.
Cross your arms over your body, like you are about to hug someone, then bounce your arms off your chest twice.
I love you – CSL (ZGS)
(ZGS – Chinese Sign Language)
Did you know that up to 70 million people use ZGS every day?!
To say “I love you” in ZGS you will need to do the following three actions
- Action 1 – cross your flat palms over your heart, bump them against your chest twice (like a heartbeat)
- Action 2 – put your right hand out with your thumb up. Make your left hand flat then run it towards yourself along the top of your thumb.
- Action 3 – point at the person you are speaking to
I love you – LFS
(LFS – French Sign Language)
Many of the sign language dialects around the world draw from LFS. If in doubt, this is one of the languages you can draw on as it has many signs in common with other languages from around the world.
French is often referred to as the language of love, so many sign language speakers will be familiar with this version of the phrase. Just as “Je t’aime” is often used by English or Spanish speakers.
This sign translates the phrase “Je t’aime”. It involves two actions.
- Action 1 – Bring your fingertips together on each hand, then put your hands together. It will almost look like your hands are kissing.
- Action 2 – place your right hand flat on your belly. Then run it up the front of your body, when you reach heart height you push the hand out in the direction of the person you are speaking to.
I love you – Libras
(Libras – Sign Language used in Brazil)
Libras is another one of the most used sign languages in the world. Their sign for “I love you” involves 2 movements. Libras is quite similar to Portuguese Sign Language, but also draws from many of the other South American languages and sign languages
- Action 1 – bring your hand backward towards your chest, making a fist in the process – like you are trying to grab something out of the air and bring it towards you
- Action 2 – point at the person you are speaking to
How to spell out “I love you” in ASL
When using ASL, you normally don’t have to spell words out. That would make every single conversation take hours. Signs and actions are designed to speed up this process. However, for those of you who are curious about how to spell out “I love you” carry on reading:
- I – raise your pinky finger on your right hand, with the rest of your fingers down
- L – raise your index finger and thumb, with the rest of your fingers down (this should look like an L)
- O – bring your fingertips together and place them on your thumb (this will look like an O from the side)
- V – raise your index and your middle fingers and spread them, with the rest of your fingers down (this should look like a V or a peace sign)
- E – turn your palm towards the person, with the rest of your fingers down, tuck your thumb over your fingers
- Y – raise your pinky finger and thumb, with the rest of your fingers down
- O – (repeat, see above)
- U – place your index and middle fingers straight up, with the rest of your fingers down, tuck your thumb over these fingers. Remember to keep your fingers together.