The sign for "friend" interlocks the index fingers twice.
FRIEND:
BOY-FRIEND:
Some people do the full movement for the sign "friend" when signing "boyfriend" but my suggestion is to treat this sign like a typical compound sign and drop the second movement in the sign "friend."
BOYFRIEND (compound):
BOYFRIEND (full version):
GIRL-FRIEND (compound version):
GIRL-FRIEND (full version):
GOOD-FRIEND
Link your index fingers to show a bond. Pull it forward twice to show the bond is not easily broken.
Question:
When you sign "boy/girl - friend" does that refer to dating or does it mean "my
friend who happens to be a boy or girl?"
Answer:
In ASL when we sign "GIRL-FRIEND" or "BOY-FRIEND" we are generally referring to
a romantic relationship. You will also commonly see "SHARE-PERSON" to mean
partner (including the romantic kind). I used to use the sign MATCH-PERSON
(which can mean "companion") to mean "partner" but that seems to not be as
common as "SHARE-PERSON" (to refer to a "significant other" / romantic partner).
It seems these days many unmarried couples are using the COUPLE/pair sign.
Note this this is not worth worrying about at all. Just know both versions of
"partner" (companion and share) and sign SHARE-PERSON until / unless one or more
local native Deaf adult skilled signers inform you otherwise for your region.
You will sometimes see SWEETHEART to mean ... er...well, "sweetheart" (or person
with whom you share a romance).
See:
partner: https://youtu.be/ei9kkjtIt6w
(SHARE-PERSON)
roommate: https://youtu.be/cMlRLyAmpZc
(MATCH-PERSON)
sweetheart: https://youtu.be/zMBQJAu7l_g
boyfriend: https://youtu.be/EHkYHDKBm5Y
boyfriend: https://youtu.be/FhNdhtl2TdQ
(compound version)
boyfriend: https://youtu.be/N4mBhtesD0Q
(neologism / advanced)
girlfriend: https://youtu.be/4B3VtEF78lM
girlfriend: https://youtu.be/M8MOxjnMIJo
(compound version)
girlfriend: https://youtu.be/vRBhlz4zLWw
(neologism / advanced)
couple / pair:
https://youtu.be/zYc7JHABcwg
partner, roommate, and even couple are all rather ambiguous and in need of
context.
On the less ambiguous side of the scale:
Sweetheart, boyfriend, or girlfriend "do" seem to have a clear "romantic"
connection.
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