Many common verbs in ASL depict the action they represent. EAT or FOOD brings the fingertips of a flat hand to the mouth repeatedly. DRINK forms a C handshape as if holding a cup and tilts it toward the mouth. GO points both index fingers forward and uses the dominant finger to push the non-dominant one through space, while COME reverses the direction, drawing the non-dominant finger inward. WALK and RUN use bent index and middle fingers moving alternately, with RUN appearing faster and more intense. STOP chops a flat dominant hand firmly onto the non-dominant palm or wrist, often with a negative facial expression.
Communication-related signs also tend toward iconic forms. SAY places the index and middle fingers at the chin and moves them outward; TELL points at the addressee and moves toward the listener. LEARN grasps the non-dominant palm and pulls both hands up toward the forehead as if absorbing knowledge, while TEACH pushes both flat hands forward from the body. STUDENT and TEACHER both add the person ending ER by tapping an open handshape on the forehead after the base sign. UNDERSTAND flicks the index finger outward from the temple in a lightbulb motion, and KNOW taps the fingertips against the forehead. THINK touches a single index finger to the temple, sometimes with a small circular motion for contemplation. REMEMBER pulls the index finger from the forehead down to touch the opposite thumb, while FORGET sweeps a flat hand across the forehead as if wiping a thought away.
Daily objects and concepts use equally descriptive shapes. HOME touches the fingertips to the lips twice then moves the hand down and to the side, suggesting eating and resting. SCHOOL claps the palms together twice with the dominant hand on top. WORK taps an S handshape against the back of the opposite S hand. WATER taps a W handshape against the chin. HELP rests a thumbs-up on the open non-dominant palm and lifts both upward. CAR or DRIVE grips an imaginary steering wheel with both fists, while BOOK opens both palms outward like pages. PHONE holds a Y handshape by the ear. HOSPITAL traces a cross on the opposite shoulder. DOCTOR taps a D handshape on the opposite wrist, as if taking a pulse.