How to Sign "Quiet" in American Sign Language (ASL)

Place your index finger vertically across your lips to sign "quiet" in ASL, just like saying "shh." Adding a serious face makes the sign stronger and more commanding. This simple gesture is often seen in schools, libraries, and anywhere people need to be quiet, and many Deaf parents use it with their kids at home. The sign came from the way people naturally ask for silence across different cultures. This common origin helps explain why many people who don't know ASL can still understand what this sign means when they see it.