How to Sign “Why” and “Store” in ASL
To sign “why” in ASL, touch or place the fingertips of your dominant hand near your forehead, draw the hand slightly forward, and finish with the middle finger extended or wiggling. To sign “store” in ASL, hold two flattened-O hands in front of you with the palms generally down and pivot both hands forward at the wrists twice.
What ASL Means
ASL commonly means American Sign Language, a complete visual language used by many Deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the United States and parts of Canada. ASL has its own grammar; it is not English converted into hand motions.
This page covers the common ASL signs for the question word “why” and the noun “store,” meaning a retail establishment. It does not cover unrelated uses of the letters A-S-L or every regional and personal variation of these signs.
A sign is identified by several features: handshape, location, palm orientation, movement, and nonmanual markers. Nonmanual markers are grammatical signals made with the face, head, or body. Changing one feature can make a sign unclear or change its meaning.
How to Sign “Why” in ASL
The common citation form of “why” is made with the dominant hand. Begin with an open hand near or touching the forehead, with the palm angled toward the signer. Move the hand a short distance away from the forehead while changing toward a handshape in which the middle finger is prominent.
The finishing movement varies. Many signers wiggle or bend the extended middle finger. Some produce a more compact change from the forehead into the final handshape. Keep the motion controlled and watch a fluent signer’s video before copying the exact timing.
When “why” asks a real question, facial grammar matters. Lower or furrow the eyebrows during the relevant part of a WH-question, and direct your attention toward the person being asked. A neutral face can make the intended question less clear.
ASL also uses WHY in rhetorical constructions, where a signer raises the eyebrows, poses “why,” and immediately supplies the explanation. The raised eyebrows distinguish that construction from an information-seeking question. Beginners should learn this use from a qualified instructor because the face and timing carry grammatical meaning.
How to Sign “Store” in ASL
For the noun “store,” form both hands into flattened-O handshapes: bring the thumb and fingertips together as though each hand were lightly holding the edge of a thin sheet. Place the hands in front of the torso, spaced apart, with the fingertips pointing generally downward and the palms oriented down or slightly toward each other.
Pivot both hands forward together at the wrists, return them, and repeat the movement. The movement should come mainly from the wrists rather than from large swings of the arms. Established ASL dictionaries commonly show two movements for the noun.
Movement count can help distinguish related noun and verb forms, but natural signing varies. Some fluent signers use movement patterns differently in conversation. If the distinction matters, rely on context and compare video examples from Deaf signers rather than treating one written description as universal.
The sign described here means a retail place. English “store” can also mean keeping something for later or placing something in storage; those meanings require a different ASL sign selected for the intended concept. Do not use the retail-place sign automatically for every English use of “store.”
Using the Signs in Sentences
ASL word order is guided by meaning, topic, emphasis, and context. The following uppercase words are glosses, which are English labels for signs rather than a complete written form of ASL.
STORE YOU GO WHY?
Meaning: “Why are you going to the store?” Use lowered or furrowed eyebrows for the information-seeking question.
YOUR FAVORITE STORE WHAT?
Meaning: “What is your favorite store?” Maintain the appropriate WH-question facial expression.
STORE CLOSED WHY? WEATHER BAD.
Meaning: “Why is the store closed? The weather is bad.” The exact structure and facial markers depend on whether this is a genuine question or a rhetorical question followed by an explanation.
These glosses are practice prompts, not word-for-word translation formulas. A fluent signer may arrange the information differently after establishing the topic or context.
Common Signing Mistakes
Starting “why” too far from the forehead. Location is part of the sign, so beginning in general space can make the sign difficult to recognize.
Moving every finger randomly for “why.” Follow the observed handshape change and make the middle finger prominent instead of shaking the whole hand.
Using a neutral or smiling face for every question. A genuine WHY question normally needs lowered or furrowed eyebrows; a rhetorical WHY construction uses different facial grammar.
Swinging the arms when signing “store.” The characteristic repeated motion is a controlled forward pivot at both wrists.
Using the retail sign for the storage meaning of English “store.” ASL chooses signs by concept, not merely by matching an English spelling.
Following English word order mechanically. ASL grammar uses space, facial signals, topic structure, and context, so an English sentence cannot always be translated one word at a time.
Where to Verify ASL Signs
Verify “why” and “store” with video, because text cannot fully show speed, handshape transitions, or facial grammar. The Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language is an expert-edited reference from Gallaudet University Press. ASL University, also known as Lifeprint, provides instructional entries and grammar explanations by ASL educator Dr. Bill Vicars. Handspeak offers video dictionary entries and descriptions of sign parameters.
Compare more than one reputable video when a form looks different. ASL has regional, generational, and conversational variation, and a dictionary usually shows a citation form rather than every natural version.
For feedback on your own signing, use a class led by a qualified Deaf ASL instructor or another recognized ASL educator. Ask the instructor to check the handshape, location, orientation, movement, facial grammar, and whether the selected sign matches the intended meaning.