Learn to sign: COLORS in American Sign Language

Learn how to sign colors in American Sign Language (ASL).
Get more free learning tips and practice: aslmeredith.co...
Color(s) 0:10
Red 0:18
Orange 0:32
Yellow 0:38
Green 0:47
Blue 0:55 (with examples of light and dark)
Pink 1:15
Purple 1:21
Brown 1:26
White 1:34
Gray/Grey 1:44
Black 1:55
Review of all: 2:09
Serious about signing? Join my online beginner course: bit.ly/ASLbeginner

[@chelsey8737]

I love that she changed shirts to correlate with the color sign. Its so cute

[@ASLMeredith]

Aw thanks, Chelsey! I'm glad you appreciated the effort :)

[@heatherframpton9693]

That definitely helps! 😁

[@caradult]

here's some timestamps for anyone watching that might be in a hurry 0:10 Color 0:19 Red 0:32 Orange 0:40 Yellow 0:52 Green 0:57 Blue 0:59 Light Blue 1:04 Dark Blue 1:15 Pink 1:21 Purple 1:28 Brown 1:35 White 1:45 Gray 1:56 Black 2:06 Recap What an amazing tutorial! Matching your shirt with whatever color you're going over was very clever! :D

[@ASLMeredith]

Thank you, so helpful!

[@JustADogLover396]

Gracias, mi amigo.

[@ladennayoung2939]

I know right. I thought that was very smart, wise, and cool also. You have yourself a blessed and prosperous day/weekend, and the remainder of the year, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen and Amen and Amen and Amen and Amen and Amen. Choose to know, trust, and believe for yourself that GOD is true, real, alive, and well. And know, trust, and believe that GOD truly do love you and so do I.

[@xXgemoftheseaXx]

I work at a very large shopping mall. After helping a small group of very very sweet deaf people, I decided to start learning sign language. Your videos make it a lot easier to learn, thank you.

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks for sharing! :D

[@TwoJaysMoon]

Holy cow, I understood everything you said. Man, I *am* making progress

[@ASLMeredith]

Woooo way to go!! Glad you're noticing improvement. Keep up the good work!

[@lessismore8533]

Changing your shirt color? So clever!

[@ASLMeredith]

Haha thanks, glad the effort went appreciated.

[@aaplayroblox7930]

I'm not deaf but I love that she didn't talk so that we get a better understanding

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks! Glad you liked this format.

[@eatwhatukiii2532]

The quiz at the end is especially helpful to “stamp” things into memory because you have to think to recall the sign. I wish she did that with all her videos😊

[@RealSfyri]

Thank you, your videos have been invaluable. I'm taking ASL classes and sometimes it's hard to keep up with the professor so when I get home I check these videos out. Much of my success has come from your help. Thank you Meredith!!!

[@ASLMeredith]

Yay thank you, Erik! I'm so glad you find these videos helpful to support your class study. Keep up the good work!

[@woolncathairs]

I’m also taking ASL classes. I find I’m learning TO sign much faster than I can READ signs. Is it like that for you?

[@chalielonkani5967]

Love this video ❤️💙💙. My 16 months old is learning about colors and I'm trying to incorporate a little bit of ASL for him.

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks so much, Chalie! I'm glad you find these useful. Happy signing ! (I might have something for babies/children coming later this year - if you're interested in testing that out for me, please email me at: hello (at) aslmeredith (dot) com -- thanks!)

[@heavymetalpotato]

It took me a second viewing to realize the signs for yellow, blue, purple, and green are just the first letter of the word in fingerspelling being shaken.

[@Rachel-ju5vt]

This has been such a helpful channel. I have an 8 month old daughter and have been using this channel to both learn and teach ASL. Thank you for the great content!

[@melissawalker3874]

I've watched a bunch of your videos because I'm trying to learn ASL for my death roommate but unfortunately is turned out that Kevin is a thief. do you have a video that has the sign for thief or do you know a video that could show me how to sign "Thief,that's why we're kicking you out!"?

[@Ruby.L07]

Melissa Walker Lmaooo!!

[@blindsightedfool]

Theif is letter 3 on your elbow and pull to a closed fist

[@serenedion2524]

I’m WEAK

[@MichaelDeLaRosa]

Now this is practical and funny LOL

[@tidalwavegaming4289]

sorry if this comes off as rude, but its deaf not death

[@AbrahamFam]

Great video! I love the shirt colors changing with the signs. :)

[@ASLMeredith]

Ha ha thank you! I tried :D

[@MOJO-by2iv]

Cute idea! Red & black are your colors!

[@andrewcepeda]

Purple

[@kidland9433]

Yo I just wannna talk to my friend across the room. Anyone else? 🤣

[@ShermanSitter]

I can't believe it, but I actually laughed out loud. Your personality is so fun! You are a great teacher with a natural enthusiasm!

[@kellybowser6002]

For a hearing person learning to sign it sure would help to have you talk as well. I am a beginner and i missed a lot of what you said. Then we could learn to read lips as well.

[@strongwithplants]

Great idea to use different coloured clothing :D

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks! Glad you're enjoying learning from these videos

[@chethanshetty776]

I have started looking into asl videos recently.. If u can add why the sign is so, it will be easier to remember for the one who is learning so late.. Like blue is hand alphabet b and 2 flicks Similarly yellow Black is almost like showing black eyebrow.. Something like this guide points as subtitles.. so that it's easier to grasp.. Thank you.

[@Sharonneke.h]

On the one hand I agree with subtitles. On the other hand, you now have to actually pay attention to the signing and have to learn to understand. That's similar to how spoken languages are best picked up when you get dropped in a country where they speak that language. It will be very awkward at first, but it is the best way to learn, usually

[@MusicBoxAlsoWater]

Thank You. I am currently learning Pidgin Sign with hopes of advancing to full on ASL. Using your videos as reference and a learning resource is great. Thank You for your videos!

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks for the kind feedback! I'm glad you find these videos useful.

[@kadiegalewaler2976]

Just noticed that you changed your outfit fort the colors! I watched that while ago and noticed the color changing but I didn’t know that was your top!! Impressive!

[@ASLMeredith]

Haha thank you :)

[@kadiegalewaler2976]

Meredith ASL your welcome!!

[@gayatriprakash6724]

You are so sweet and pretty, Meredith. I am an older mom trying to learn ASL to be able to teach my autistic son and so glad to discover your channel. Thank you !

[@ASLMeredith]

Hi there! Thank you so much for this kind comment :) I'm glad that these videos help you sign with your son. Keep up the good work!

[@joemcshmoe10]

Wow I understood you in the end. Thanks!! I will be working with a kiddo who uses sign and this will help! Best.

[@sabrinareyes123]

LOOOOOVE your videos and they really help me learn. Also you're so pretty and I love how you turn to the side so people can see better.

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks again! Appreciate your feedback :) Glad to know the side view is so helpful!

[@cindym.7862]

Thank you. Loved you wore the various colors! By the way, you looked great in every color!

[@fatefulbrawl5838]

The way she changed shirts was great$

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed that 😊

[@fatefulbrawl5838]

@@ASLMeredith How'd you get into ASL?

[@iamafurrydonthateme1993]

I barely speak Side language But I Got a picture of what it means and I understood ima go learn side language

[@willyccrd.seamospartedelca6780]

Thanks. God bless you. Meredith.

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks! Glad you found this useful.

[@ladennayoung2939]

You are SO, AWESOME and AMAZING. Thanks for sharing your gift with the world. 💜💜💜

[@ASLMeredith]

You're so kind, Ladenna! Thank you for your comments and encouragement. I'm glad you find these videos useful.

[@Havoc_Prime]

Excellent. Full of great help. Thank you for teaching!

[@ASLMeredith]

Thank YOU for the kind comment! So glad you find these videos useful :)

[@shelbyhergenroeder5281]

Thank you very much for this video. Switching your shirts color was a super helpful visual. Also, super nice shirts btw. 😄

[@Asabs29]

loved how you changed shirts thats cute lol ty!

[@texabara]

Nice purple! 😉

[@betty3717]

thank you this was simple, I will practice, thanks again

[@BiltmoreGhost]

I'm glad I watched this video, the textbook for community collage class does NOT illustrate this well at ALL! They show arrows for the direction but it doesn't show what to do afterwards OR facial expressions to go along with 🤦‍♀️ Red illustration just shows the guy pulling index finger from his lip but does NOT even indicate the extra curling motion required afterwards. Yellow illustration is held downwards near the naval and arrow directs to sweep it to the right while wiggling.... 🙄 SERIOUSLY glad I'm watching ASL videos as I'm going along!

[@warrenstaben6166]

Thank you Meredith.

[@gohansp1]

Im nine years old and think everyone should know at least a little bit of asl

[@mrdmcarter]

Thanks for sharing

[@eden.attias]

Hi Meredith is there a difference between blue, light blue and dark blue. It seems to be the same movement

[@ASLMeredith]

Yes - facial expression! As @Sara Loveday kindly pointed out. :)

[@aslwriting]

Instructive, thanks

[@ASLMeredith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@vasantiethirajan8456]

I always enjoy the quiz session ....😀

[@sailaxmanvinturi2280]

YOU VERY HARD WORKING IS GOOD HELPING ME THANK YOU SO MUSH . I UNDERSAND SIGN LANGUAGE. 😀😀😀😀😀😀😍😍😍😍😍

[@Shani_Bangtan777]

Can you please show how to say "I purple you" in sign language 🙏 It's a phrase BTS made and I really like it ! 😊💜

[@ASLMeredith]

you'd point to yourself for "I" and point to the other person (or generally outward) for "you"! But if it really means love and trust or something else, you could use those signs instead :)

[@bolts5994]

Your videos are great and you're really beautiful. sorry. just had to mention that part too. lol 😄

[@St4r_edits130]

Is there a sign for Indigo or violet

[@TinyGremlinMe]

Love the video, but could there be captions for all the words you’re saying because I’m not deaf but I want to learn ASL and I don’t know it

[@ASLMeredith]

Hi Clara, look at my shirt color to see what I'm signing! For most of the video, I'm signing *only* the name of the color. Then at the very end (last 20 seconds), I repeat all the signs, roughly in rainbow order.

[@TinyGremlinMe]

@@ASLMeredith Thank you for replying so much!!!:D

[@tammyubach3201]

Thank you! Helpful. I am new to signing and it helps me review my lessons.

[@ASLMeredith]

Hi Tammy, thanks for the kind feedback! I'm glad you find these videos useful :) if you like this style, be sure to join my free email newsletter at aslmeredith.com/newsletter

[@baileypelkey1214]

Love your videos!!

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks so much, Bailey! Glad you find them useful :)

[@baileypelkey1214]

@@ASLMeredith ❤️

[@DanielGarcia-ky7cp]

Good job Meredith

[@artasticcrafts75]

Hi, are you fluent in ASL? Also, how long did it take you to learn it?

[@ASLMeredith]

Hi! Yes, I am fluent in ASL. It takes many years, and ideally immersion! Personally, I grew up studying the vocabulary, took 4 semesters of collegiate courses, a full semester as a student at Gallaudet University (University for the Deaf in DC), and additional courses thereafter and an MA in teaching it. So it takes a lot :) but the best way to become skilled is through classes and (importantly) through interaction with native signers. Hope that helps!

[@artasticcrafts75]

Thank you

[@charlettemackmccoy4325]

I'm so sad only now I noticed that your changing your shirts, lol lol. Had a great time and I will be back.

[@ASLMeredith]

That's right! :D

[@isabelco2011]

I have a question. So I am learning asl to speak with a deaf customer. I was wondering, if I were to sign the phrase "white chocolate" in relation to what to put in a drink, would I use the sign for the color white in combination with the word chocolate?

[@andreapatane4204]

It isn't easy to learn how to sign the colors in American Sign Language these days. It takes a lot of practice and patience to master the correct way to sign them with your hands silently from a professional who's an expert with the use of sign language that's used by the hard of hearing people in our community. I can't understand your gestures at a face pace. Could you please slow down? Thank you very much. 👍🏻 if you strongly agree.

[@_chrisxtinaa]

i think the video was a good pace but that’s because i know a little more already. you can always pause or click the three dots and the top and click “playback speed” and it’ll slow the video down for you

[@andreapatane4204]

@@_chrisxtinaa Thank you for the advice. Do you think that Meredith could sign Silver and Gold?

[@texabara]

Black.... u look great in black!

[@kelseyclover7771]

Wow I'm surprised I got that so easily

[@Chickenmom777]

My grandson love you👍

[@Chickenmom777]

He only 2😁 sorry I didn’t want that to be wired

[@ASLMeredith]

Haha thank you! I hope you both enjoy learning with me :)

[@fairusfanaz5841]

I love to watch your video..but may I ask you how to sign the words Little red riding hood?

[@tifa9992]

Hairstyle and hair color ???

[@catthouser9032]

Hey Meredith.... Is there a tv station that I could watch to help me with learning sign language. Maybe something that uses signing and audio???? Something for deaf and hearing folks?

[@ASLMeredith]

Check out dpan.tv ! Free to sign up and they have amazing content by native signers.

[@charlettea.p.kealoha8050]

Yes the eyes. Aloha from Honolulu Hawaii

[@person5163]

OMG

[@person5163]

HONOLULU??!!

[@person5163]

u must be rich

[@katherinehowie2832]

The sign that you used for “gray” is very similar, almost the same as the sign I learned for “whatever/anyway”. Is there a subtle difference that I am not catching? Or are they the same sign, and you just have to use context clues? Thanks!

[@ASLMeredith]

Great question, Katherine! You're right that context would definitely help distinguish GRAY and WHATEVER/ANYWAY/NOMATTER, but the signs are slightly different. For GRAY, the hands are in a "5" handshape, with fingers spread straight out and the hands move such that the fingers move seamlessly through each other. For WHATEVER, the handshape is less a sharp "5" and the fingers are more together, such that the movement doesn't move so seamlessly - the fingers actually brush against one another (as opposed to GRAY, where the fingers pass by without touching/smashing). I hope this helps !!

[@lessismore8533]

@@ASLMeredith you're videos rock! I just discovered them. I'm late. My asl teacher said the sign for "doesn't matter" is slang

[@ASLMeredith]

@@lessismore8533 Thanks for the kind feedback! Glad you're enjoying. I don't know the sign "doesn't matter" to be slang... it's a widely used sign! I *could* see someone saying it's not a formal sign you'd use, say, in a lecture - like you might sign "not important" instead. the sign NOT-MATTER could mean something isn't important, but also could mean "whatever" or "anyway", so its uses vary.

[@josemanriquez9887]

Hi Meredith hope your doing great quick question is there a fee to subscribe?

[@ASLMeredith]

Hi Jose! No, there is no fee to subscribe. FEel free to hit 'subscribe', and all this will do is make sure you can always find my videos from your KZbin homepage, and that you'll get notifications when I post new videos :) FREE!

[@flabshrute3887]

Hey Meredith! I would like to ask a little question. Is the sign for "play" the same as "yellow"?

[@ASLMeredith]

Hi Eva! PLAY and YELLOW are very similar, but not exactly the same. YELLOW has a more upright orientation, and is one-handed. PLAY is two-handed and the orientation is more outward. Hope that helps!

[@Ereckdj]

Hey , I am back.. what did I miss???

[@slavaua6786]

wow! You're great!!

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks for the kind feedback, Vlad!

[@KingK_246]

You missed to sign 3 more colors: tan, gold, and silver.

[@ASLMeredith]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@faraimichelletavengwa8542]

Just started learning and i'm not sure i understand the three different blues. Great videos though !

[@ASLMeredith]

The movement and facial expressions are a little different :)

[@buddy0216]

I'm learing asl and the only thing I got from the intro was hi.

[@ASLMeredith]

That's okay! If you're still learning, you can slow down the video (tip: click the menu on youtube and select speed = 0.5), or just jump to the part where you're learning new signs (where I go slower). Keep practicing and you'll get better at understanding!

[@moriahmay1761]

orange and age are the same sign right? so just use context clues to understand?

[@xandranicholai7301]

They are different. Orange stays by chin while age goes down like a beard.

[@arborealCynoid]

I was having a hard time understanding what to do because there weren't any words, whether spoken or not. I understood a few, but also didn't understand a few

[@ASLMeredith]

Hi there! Sorry you had some trouble with this one. I know the intro might not have been clear, but the purpose was to show the color signs, based on the color shirt I'm wearing. Was there any color sign you couldn't get? Tell me the timestamp and I'll help you out.

[@arborealCynoid]

@@ASLMeredith 1:00-1:14 You were doing other signs so I was having a hard time figuring out which sign was which

[@ASLMeredith]

@@arborealCynoid It's about how your facial expression changes for LIGHT BLUE and DARK BLUE (also in the English caption). Raise eyebrows for something lighter, lower / serious face for something darker.

[@ASLwithAndreaGregory]

Hi Meredith, quick question on Gray... isn't that sign more for "Gray area" vs just the color Gray being signed with the G handshape on forehead, signed like black?? Thanks.

[@ASLMeredith]

Hmm.. I've never seen a sign for the color GRAY with the G handshape at the forehead; is that ASL or a different sign language? Or perhaps it's SEE? The sign for GRAY shown here with the "5" handshapes is the ASL sign for gray the color. (for a "gray area" , I'd sign something more like 'blurred'/OBSCURE)

[@ASLwithAndreaGregory]

@@ASLMeredith Yep! It's the Signed English Version... www.signingsavvy.com/sign/GRAY/1427/2

[@kadiegalewaler2976]

Thank you!!!!!!! (Amazing!) summer and black are the same right? Lol 😂 sorry so confused now lol

[@ASLMeredith]

Ahh another good question. They're different! Black keeps the finger straight, while summer curls the finger. I'll make another video on this :)

[@kadiegalewaler2976]

Meredith ASL thanks!!

[@pixeldust552]

Thank you! The sign for "white" is very similar to "like" how do you differentiate them?

[@ASLMeredith]

Good eye! They are similar, but the handshapes are different. WHITE uses all four fingers extended and drawn out to meet the thumb, whereas for the sign LIKE has only the middle finger at the torseo and connecting with the thumb. (the other three fingers are kept outward.) LIKE ends in an "8" handshape.

[@pixeldust552]

@@ASLMeredith Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! i really appreciate it! I am working on learning ASL, trying to teach myself! :)

[@ScythePuppet]

I'm really new to ASL so I don't understand the bits in between the colours :(

[@ASLMeredith]

That's okay! Everyone starts somewhere. There's nothing critical there; the point of this video was the color signs only !

[@sparrowknight5849]

Hello! My preferred name is Grey, can I use the sign for gray when introducing myself? Or would I need to spell it out?

[@ASLMeredith]

Good question! If it's your name, you'd still want to fingerspell it -- and then you can say "like the color grey" if you want. Then it'd be up to you/your Deaf friend community as to whether you'd adopt the color as your sign or not. See this article for more on name signs: www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/16/arts/kamala-harris-name-sign-language.html

[@KeepingItCrissy]

I can understand. :)

[@AzzyKisai]

i have a question if your name is blue can you sign it like the color or do i have to sign the letters

[@anondecepticon]

Was wondering this too, like if your last name is Brown, Black, White, Green, etc.

[@jorjabyrne168]

so basically just the letters shaking?

[@ASLMeredith]

Not all are, but many are like that, yes.

[@joyrobins7431]

Where's sound/captions?

[@ASLMeredith]

No sound on this one! Just the shirt color to guide you and the English word is displayed in the lower left.

[@orestesdelgadojr7935]

thumb up she sign very bright look good, ! I ask you so! are you familiar with mother deaf? yes or ? Ecuador family. ?

[@renaissanceninja]

🤩

[@charlettemackmccoy4325]

Meredith not sure why but no one is talking in the background? Or maybe it's my iPad, too old?

[@ASLMeredith]

You're correct - this video does not have any voiceover :) It's one of my oldest videos and those didn't have any sound. BUT as you notice later, the shirt color indicates which color is being signed :)

[@texabara]

2024; repasando

[@priyanksingh1750]

I love your smile sweetheart

[@debbiedalick1469]

Meredith Sorry but you this video and the ones you have with no voice over is not helping me..

[@ASLMeredith]

Hi Debbie, thanks for the feedback! This is one of my oldest videos, which is why the format (including lack of voiceover) is different from most of my lessons. That said, did you notice the shirt color changes? That's meant to tell you what the sign is represtening here.

[@gohansp1]

Deaf people are human to

[@বধিরশঙ্কর]

Sign language deaf hello my hand see you think

[@vanessawills7525]

I must be colour blind :(

[@brettlewis8214]

Forced to watch a 5 minute advertisement to get to the video! NOPE!

[@ASLMeredith]

Hi Brett, thanks for your feedback. None of my ads force 5-minute ads. They're all the skippable 5-second kind. You'll see the 5-sec countdown and "skip" button in the bottom right corner of the video. Hope that helps!

[@sexyfatbastid]

Did you fire your narrator ?

[@ASLMeredith]

This is one of my OLDEST videos, so had no voiceover (which I do). I haven't re-done this video though, because the colored shirts are meant to 'speak' for themselves!

[@sexyfatbastid]

@@ASLMeredith ....Okay,....I'll accept your excuse,....THIS time.

[@Surprisebaby]

i feel like for this to be fully accessible, there should of been CC. no sense was to be had lol

[@ASLMeredith]

There are no closed captions because there's no voiceover or sound to caption. It's just the color of my shirt (also written on screen) and the sign that's shown. For most of the video, I'm signing *only* the name of the color. Then at the very end (last 20 seconds), I repeat all the signs, roughly in rainbow order. Appreciate your feedback though and I hope to redo this video at some point in the future!