Knowing American Sign Language (ASL) signs for food can help you communicate with those who use that language. This is helpful in many different situations, including food service, retail, andsocializingwith those whocommunicate through ASL. The signs may be different depending on where you live as there are sign language dialects.
Sign for AppleJamie BerkeTo make the sign for apple, make a screwingmotionon your cheek with your index finger in the X letter shape. As you are screwing your cheek, turn the X finger on your cheek.
Sign for Apple
Jamie Berke
To make the sign for apple, make a screwingmotionon your cheek with your index finger in the X letter shape. As you are screwing your cheek, turn the X finger on your cheek.
Sign for BananaJamie BerkeTo make the sign for a banana, use the index finger to represent the banana. Then peel the banana using the other hand’s thumb and index finger.
Sign for Banana
To make the sign for a banana, use the index finger to represent the banana. Then peel the banana using the other hand’s thumb and index finger.
Sign for BreadJamie BerkeTo make the sign for bread, make a slicing motion with four fingers on the back of the other hand, moving along the hand. This symbolizes the sliced loaf of bread.
Sign for Bread
To make the sign for bread, make a slicing motion with four fingers on the back of the other hand, moving along the hand. This symbolizes the sliced loaf of bread.
Sign for CakeJamie BerkeTo make the sign for cake, make a lifting motion of a piece of cake from the other hand.
Sign for Cake
To make the sign for cake, make a lifting motion of a piece of cake from the other hand.
Sign for CarrotJamie BerkeThink of the character Bugs Bunny eating a carrot. Make a fist, and move it towards and away from your mouth as if you were eating a carrot.
Sign for Carrot
Think of the character Bugs Bunny eating a carrot. Make a fist, and move it towards and away from your mouth as if you were eating a carrot.
Sign for CookiesJamie BerkeTo make the sign for cookies, move a C letter hand on the open palm as if making cookies using a mold.
Sign for Cookies
To make the sign for cookies, move a C letter hand on the open palm as if making cookies using a mold.
Sign for Corn
Sign for DrinkJamie BerkeThe sign for drink is one of the simplest signs. Just tilt a C letter hand upwards as if drinking from a cup.
Sign for Drink
The sign for drink is one of the simplest signs. Just tilt a C letter hand upwards as if drinking from a cup.
Sign for EatJamie BerkeTo make the sign for eat, move the partially closed hand towards the mouth and repeat.
Sign for Eat
To make the sign for eat, move the partially closed hand towards the mouth and repeat.
Sign for EggsJamie BerkeTo make the sign for eggs, cross the index and middle fingers of each hand over each other, then bring them apart. This symbolizes the cracking of eggs.
Sign for Eggs
To make the sign for eggs, cross the index and middle fingers of each hand over each other, then bring them apart. This symbolizes the cracking of eggs.
Sign for FishJamie BerkeA fish sign is easy to make. Just position your hand as if it was a fish about to start swimming. Then move your hand as if the fish was swimming in the water.
Sign for Fish
A fish sign is easy to make. Just position your hand as if it was a fish about to start swimming. Then move your hand as if the fish was swimming in the water.
Sign for FruitJamie BerkeTo make the sign for fruit, put the F handshape on the cheek, and twist it forward.
Sign for Fruit
To make the sign for fruit, put the F handshape on the cheek, and twist it forward.
Sign for GrapesJamie BerkeTo make the sign for grapes, take a slightly bent hand and move it down the back of the other hand, bouncing along. This mimics the grapes on the vine.
Sign for Grapes
To make the sign for grapes, take a slightly bent hand and move it down the back of the other hand, bouncing along. This mimics the grapes on the vine.
Sign for LemonJamie BerkeTo make the sign for lemon, touch the L handshape to the cheek, and move the index finger downwards.
Sign for Lemon
To make the sign for lemon, touch the L handshape to the cheek, and move the index finger downwards.
Sign for MilkJamie BerkeThe sign for milk is one of the easiest signs to make. Just open, then close a fist and squeeze as if milking a cow. No wonder it is one of the first signs babies learn.
Sign for Milk
The sign for milk is one of the easiest signs to make. Just open, then close a fist and squeeze as if milking a cow. No wonder it is one of the first signs babies learn.
Sign for NutsJamie BerkeTo make the sign for nuts, place the thumb at the teeth and move outwards. This probably represents the opening of the shell of a nut.
Sign for Nuts
To make the sign for nuts, place the thumb at the teeth and move outwards. This probably represents the opening of the shell of a nut.
Sign for OrangeJamie BerkeTo make the sign for orange, open and close a fist near the chin. This mimics the squeezing of an orange.
Sign for Orange
To make the sign for orange, open and close a fist near the chin. This mimics the squeezing of an orange.
Sign for PeasJamie BerkeWhen making the sign for peas, think about peas lined up inside a pea pod. The index finger and thumb snap together, moving along and removing the peas from the pod.
Sign for Peas
When making the sign for peas, think about peas lined up inside a pea pod. The index finger and thumb snap together, moving along and removing the peas from the pod.
Sign for PieJamie BerkeTo sign pie, you slice the pie with your open hand on top of the other open hand.
Sign for Pie
To sign pie, you slice the pie with your open hand on top of the other open hand.
Sign for PotatoJamie BerkeTo sign potato, put the index and middle fingers together, hovering over a fist. Then touch the index and middle finger to the back of the hand.
Sign for Potato
To sign potato, put the index and middle fingers together, hovering over a fist. Then touch the index and middle finger to the back of the hand.
Sign for PumpkinJamie BerkeTo make the sign for pumpkin, touch the thumb and middle finger together on top of the outstretched hand.
Sign for Pumpkin
To make the sign for pumpkin, touch the thumb and middle finger together on top of the outstretched hand.
Sign for SaltJamie BerkeTo make the sign for salt, tap the index and middle fingers of one hand with the index and middle fingers of the other hand. This mimics the sprinkling of salt.
Sign for Salt
To make the sign for salt, tap the index and middle fingers of one hand with the index and middle fingers of the other hand. This mimics the sprinkling of salt.
Sign for Turkey
Sign for VegetableJamie BerkeTo make the sign for vegetable, put the V hand on the face near the mouth, and turn it.
Sign for Vegetable
To make the sign for vegetable, put the V hand on the face near the mouth, and turn it.
Sign for Watermelon
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are other types of sign language used in the US as well as different areas around the world. For example, Britain uses British Sign Language (BSL), which means that ASL speakers may not understand BSL speakers and vice-versa.In the US there is alsoSigned Exact English (SEE)andPidgin Signed English (PSE), both of which are distinct from ASL.
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.American Sign Language.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.American Sign Language.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.American Sign Language.
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