5 Ways To Say "Screw You" In Sign Language: The Ultimate ASL Guide To Profanity And Dismissal

Learning American Sign Language (ASL) is a journey into a rich, visual language, but inevitably, students become curious about how to express strong emotions—including anger and frustration. As of December 15, 2025, the most direct and universally understood way to sign an aggressive phrase like “Screw you” in ASL mirrors its spoken-language counterpart: a gesture that transcends language barriers.

The concept of signed profanity is fascinatingly complex, blending manual signs with critical non-manual markers (NMMs) to convey true intent. While the infamous middle finger is the clearest equivalent, Deaf culture offers a spectrum of signs to express dismissal, anger, and outright offense, ranging from mildly rude to deeply vulgar. Understanding these nuances is key to communicating effectively and respectfully within the Deaf community.

The Direct Equivalent: The Universal Middle Finger Gesture

The gesture that translates most directly to "Screw you," "F* you," or "Up yours" in American Sign Language is the extended middle finger** gesture.

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This is not a traditional, lexicon sign with a specific ASL dictionary entry, but rather a universal gesture that has been adopted into the visual language of ASL and Deaf culture.

• Handshape: A closed fist with only the middle finger extended.
• Movement: Often a slight, sharp upward jerk or thrust toward the person being addressed, which makes it a directional gesture.
• Context: It is highly vulgar and should be used with extreme caution, as it carries the same weight and offense as its spoken English equivalent.

In a linguistic sense, some ASL experts consider the middle finger to be a morpheme—a meaningful part of a word or sign—when used directionally, pointing at the person to whom the insult is directed.

The Critical Role of Non-Manual Markers (NMMs)

In ASL, the hands only tell half the story; the face and body convey the emotional tone, which are known as Non-Manual Markers (NMMs).

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For any sign of anger or dismissal to truly convey "Screw you," the NMMs are non-negotiable. Without them, the sign might look incomplete or confusing.

• Facial Expression: Furrowed eyebrows, a tight mouth (perhaps mouthing the word "mad" or "angry"), and an intense, unwavering eye gaze.
• Body Language: A tense posture, perhaps a slight lean forward, or a sharp head movement.
• Intensity: The speed and force of the sign, coupled with the facial expression, dictate the level of anger. A sharp, quick movement with an intense scowl conveys maximum fury.

This combination of the manual sign and the intense facial expression is what truly transforms a simple gesture into a powerful, aggressive statement.

4 Less Offensive (But Still Dismissive) ASL Alternatives

For situations that require a strong expression of frustration or dismissal without resorting to outright profanity, ASL offers several alternatives. These signs are less vulgar but still clearly communicate a desire for the other person to leave or stop bothering you.

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1. The Sign for "Go Away" or "Shoo"

This is the most common and practical alternative for telling someone to leave you alone.

• Handshape: A flat, open dominant hand with all fingers held together (a B-handshape).
• Movement: The hand starts near the chest or shoulder and flicks sharply outward and away from the body, often accompanied by a sharp head turn.
• Tone: When performed with a frustrated face (furrowed brows), it clearly means "Get out of here" or "I'm done with this."

2. The Sign for "Rude"

When someone’s behavior has been offensive or disrespectful, the sign for "Rude" can be a powerful, non-profane retort.

• Handshape: The dominant hand is open, and the middle finger is extended slightly (a modified B-handshape).
• Movement: The tip of the dominant hand's middle finger slides forward across the upturned palm of the non-dominant hand.
• Tone: This sign is not an insult *to* the person, but a comment *on their behavior*, making it a more sophisticated and less aggressive confrontation.

3. The Sign for "Offend" or "Insult"

This sign is used to express that you feel personally hurt or attacked by someone's words or actions.

• Handshape: Both hands are in a flattened O-handshape (like holding a small ball).
• Movement: The dominant hand moves forward and slightly up, often hitting or brushing the non-dominant hand, conveying a sense of impact or injury.
• Tone: Used to show emotional injury, it puts the focus on the recipient's feelings rather than the sender's rage.

4. The Sign for "Fed Up" or "Frustrated"

If you want to communicate that you’ve reached your limit without being overtly aggressive, this sign is perfect for expressing extreme annoyance.

• Handshape: The dominant hand is open, with the fingers spread, and the middle finger is bent slightly forward.
• Movement: The hand moves up and down sharply in front of the face or chest, sometimes with a slight shake.
• Tone: This sign is a clear boundary-setter, communicating, "I have had enough of this situation."

Cultural Context and Etiquette in Deaf Communication

Understanding the etiquette surrounding profanity is essential for anyone learning ASL. Profanity, like any other part of language, exists in Deaf culture, but its use is governed by social norms and context.

The need for clarity in visual communication means that signs conveying strong emotion must be unambiguous. While the middle finger is understood, the Deaf community, like all communities, often prioritizes respectful communication.

Using a strong, direct sign like the middle finger in a formal setting or with someone you don't know well is considered highly inappropriate and can cause serious offense.

The Power of Directional Verbs

Many signs in ASL are directional verbs, meaning the movement of the sign indicates the subject and object. This is a key entity in ASL grammar. For example, the sign for "HELP" can move from the signer to the receiver ("I help you") or from the receiver to the signer ("You help me").

Similarly, when a sign for a negative emotion or dismissal (like "Go Away" or even the middle finger gesture) is directed pointedly at the recipient, it strengthens the message. The sign is not just an abstract concept; it is an action being performed *to* the other person, dramatically increasing its impact.

The Five Parameters of ASL

To ensure you are signing correctly (even when signing an insult), always remember the Five Parameters of ASL, which are the building blocks of every sign:

1. Handshape: (e.g., an open B-hand, a closed fist).
2. Palm Orientation: (e.g., palm facing up, down, or toward the receiver).
3. Location: (e.g., near the forehead, on the chest, in neutral space).
4. Movement: (e.g., a sharp flick, a circular motion, a straight path).
5. Non-Manual Markers (NMMs): (e.g., facial expressions, head tilts).

Even the most offensive sign, like the middle finger, adheres to these parameters. The correct Handshape and a sharp Movement combined with an angry NMM are what make the sign effective and clear.

In conclusion, while the universal middle finger gesture is the most direct and unmistakable way to say "Screw you" in American Sign Language, a competent signer has a full arsenal of less offensive, yet equally powerful, signs like Go Away, Rude, and Fed Up. Mastery of these signs, coupled with the essential use of Non-Manual Markers, allows a signer to navigate the full spectrum of human emotion, from profound love to intense anger, with clarity and cultural awareness.