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"looks like" / look-a-like / resembles / looks the same as 

If you mean "looks like" as in a visual similarity between two things or two people you can use the LOOK-LIKE sign. The sign for "look like" uses an index finger that changes into a "Y"-handshape.  The sign starts with the index finger near the eye or nose and then pulls away and down into a "Y" handshape which makes a small side to side movement. The specific starting position of this sign varies.  Some people touch the cheek. Some people touch the nose. During high speed signing the sign is unlikely to touch the face at all and is simply held nearby pointing toward the eye or nose.

LOOK-LIKE:




Do you look like your mom?

 



Here's some pictures of the main hand positions for the "looks like" sign.  The "Y" hand uses a side to side sliding movement.

 



The current "LOOK-LIKE" sign and its variations evolved from the signs FACE and SAME which were compounded into an older version of the "LOOK-LIKE sign that consisted of circling the face with an index finger and transitioning into the SAME-[similar/too] sign.  This version of the sign for "look-like" uses an index finger handshape that changes into a "Y" handshape. The "Y" handshape makes a slight side to side motion.  You start by either touching or just bringing the index finger near to the cheek beneath the eye and then doing an abbreviated version of the sign for "same."
 

LOOK-LIKE-[legacy-version]

 

Sample sentence: "Do you look like your dad?"


 

If you mean "looks like" as in "it looks as if," "it appears that," "it seems," "it seems to me," or "apparently" you might want to use the sign for "seem."  For example, if you wanted to sign 'it looks as if' as in: "It looks like it's going to snow') you could sign "SEEM MAYBE SNOW" "SEEM SNOW WILL."
See:  SEEM
 



If you by "looks like" you mean "countenance" as in "It looks like Susan has been crying" then you should use the FACE-[countenance/appearance/looks] sign.  For example SHE FACE-[5-hand-version] CRY SHE.
See: FACE
 




Here is an example of LOOK-LIKE using the version that points at the nose:


Also see: SAME
Also see: SEE

Hat tip (gratitude) to: Lyn Wiley (a Deaf ASL instructor) for her input on the alternate meanings of "look like."




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