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

Tap your thumb on your chin with spread fingers to sign "mother" in ASL. The sign comes from long ago when mothers wore bonnets with strings that tied under their chins, and people would make this motion to show the ties. You can use this formal sign anywhere, from talking with friends to important meetings. A shorter way to say it is "mama," where you tap your open hand's thumb side on your chin two times. Most ASL babies learn to sign "mother" very early, right along with signs like "father" and "milk," since these are some of the most basic and important signs to know.