To sign mad in ASL, bend the spread fingers of your dominant hand into a claw and hold it in front of your face, palm facing you. Pull the claw in close to the face in one firm movement, then lower the hand. Frown and tighten your face so it shows the anger.
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How to sign it
Handshape: a claw hand, the fingers spread and bent.
Location: in front of the face.
Movement: one firm movement of the claw toward the face, without touching it.
Palm orientation: the palm faces your face.
Facial expression: a frown with tight lips.
Tip to remember it
Lifeprint notes that a double movement with a slightly less intense face can mean grouchy or grumpy.
Use it in a sentence
BOY MAD WHY?
Why is the boy mad?
This video matches Lifeprint: a single movement of a claw hand in front of the face. Lifeprint also shows a separate sign for angry.
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Signed by a Deaf, fluent ASL signer.
Description checked against AISA's own video (the reference); Lifeprint (ASL University), lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/m/mad.htm.
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