I still remember the moment clearly.
My toddler nephew, barely two years old and not yet speaking in full sentences, proudly stacked the last wooden block on his wobbly tower, looked up at me with the biggest grin, and flung both little hands open like jazz hands – palms forward, fingers splayed, a tiny triumphant explosion in the air.
“All done!” he signed, even before he could say the words.
In that instant, something melted inside me. A simple gesture – two hands opening like a book closing – had just crossed every language barrier I’d ever known. No matter where you’re from, every human being on this planet understands the sweet relief, the quiet pride, the gentle finality of “all done.”
Today, we’re going on a world tour of that feeling – not just in spoken languages, but especially in the silent, beautiful grammar of sign languages from every corner of the globe.
“All Done” Around the World
(15 fascinating sign languages and their versions of “all done/finished”)
| Language | Sign Description | Cultural or Linguistic Insight |
| American Sign Language (ASL) | Both flat hands, palms facing out, twist outward from chest | Iconic “put it away” motion; hugely popular even among hearing families with toddlers |
| British Sign Language (BSL) | Two “B” hands brush downward past each other | Reflects the British love of tidiness – like brushing crumbs off a table |
| French Sign Language (LSF) | Both “5” hands flip palms down near the chin | Mimics closing a book or turning off a light – very Parisian elegance! |
| Italian Sign Language (LIS) | Hands cross at wrists then fling open | Dramatic Mediterranean flair – like throwing open shutters at the end of a long day |
| German Sign Language (DGS) | Flat hands chop downward twice | Precise and efficient, just like German engineering |
| Auslan (Australian) | Two “claw” hands close into fists then open again | Reflects Aussie laid-back vibe – “chuck it in the bin, mate, we’re done” |
| Japanese Sign Language (JSL) | Hands come together in front, then separate sharply | Echoes the cultural value of clear beginnings and endings in tea ceremonies, work, and art |
| Korean Sign Language (KSL) | Palms together, then pull apart like tearing paper | Symbolizes cleanly breaking a connection – very common in food culture (“I’m full!”) |
| Chinese Sign Language (CSL) | Both hands flip from palm-up to palm-down | Represents turning over a page or a calendar – deeply tied to cycles and completion |
| Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) | Similar to LSF but with a softer wrist flick | French influence with North American gentleness |
| Irish Sign Language (ISL) | Hands circle then push away from body | Feels like pushing the day’s work gently into the past |
| South African Sign Language (SASL) | Hands brush forward off the chest | Influenced by BSL but with a flowing, storytelling warmth |
| Mexican Sign Language (LSM) | Both hands make a cutting motion across the throat | Dramatic and clear – you’ll never mistake the message! |
| Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) | Hands close into fists then burst open | Joyful and celebratory – perfect for Carnival energy when the party is “all done” |
| New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) | Two flat hands slice downward, then open | Strong Māori influence – clean endings are respected in ceremony and daily life |
European Sign Languages
In Europe, “all done” often feels like closing a chapter with elegance. French LSF flips the hands as if snuffing a candle at the end of dinner. Italian LIS throws the hands open like a dramatic curtain call. Even stoic German DGS chops the air cleanly – because when something is fertig, it is truly finished.
Across the continent, you’ll notice many of these signs are two-handed and symmetrical, mirroring the European love of balance and closure.
Asian Sign Languages
In East Asia, the concept of “finished” is rarely casual. In JSL and KSL, the motion often involves cleanly separating or breaking something – a linguistic echo of the cultural reverence for starting and ending rituals properly (think tea ceremony, bowing out of a room, or the final stroke of calligraphy).
In Chinese Sign Language, turning the hands palm-down feels like sealing an envelope or turning the last page of a red-thread story.
African Sign Languages
Across the continent, “all done” often carries warmth rather than finality. In South African SASL, the sign flows forward like passing a finished task to the next person in the circle. Nigerian Sign Language (used widely across West Africa) sometimes adds a smile and a head tilt – because finishing something together deserves acknowledgment and gratitude.
Indigenous & Island Sign Languages
For many indigenous communities, “all done” isn’t just about tasks – it’s about seasons, ceremonies, and stories.
In Māori Sign Language (used alongside NZSL), the sign can feel like laying down a finished weaving. Hawaiian Sign Language (‘Ōlelo Ho‘ailona) often incorporates a gentle wave motion – like the ocean releasing the day. Inuit Sign Language (IUR, used in Arctic communities) uses a quick cutting motion across the body, reminiscent of slicing the last piece of caribou to share.
Cultural Evolution of a Universal Feeling
Long before spoken language, our ancestors likely used gestures to signal “the hunt is over,” “the fire is built,” “the story is told.” Archaeologists have found 40,000-year-old hand stencils in caves – perhaps the first “all done” high-five to the next generation.
Every major religion has its version too: the Muslim “Alhamdulillah” (praise be to God, it is finished), the Christian “It is finished” from the cross, the Buddhist release into stillness. The gesture of opening the hands survives in prayer, meditation, and celebration worldwide.
Proverbs & Sayings About Being “All Done”
- Japan: “Ichigo ichie” – this moment happens only once; cherish the ending as much as the beginning.
- Spain: “Lo hecho, hecho está” – what’s done is done (often signed with a dramatic Italian-style fling).
- Yoruba (Nigeria): “Ohun tí a bá ṣe tán, a ó ṣe é mọ́” – What we have finished, we will do no more (signed with proud finality).
- Hawaii: “Ua pau” – it is finished, often accompanied by throwing shaka signs and pure aloha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do so many sign languages use an “opening” or “pushing away” motion?
Because the feeling of completion is physical – we push the plate away when full, open our hands when the burden is lifted, brush dust off when the work is clean.
What’s the oldest recorded “all done” gesture?
Cave art from Indonesia (45,000 years old) shows open handprints – possibly early humans saying “our work here is finished.”
Are there cultures where “all done” has a negative feeling?
In some high-context Asian cultures, declaring something loudly “finished” can feel abrupt or rude in group settings – the sign is often softer or accompanied by a bow of gratitude.
The Final Hand
Whether you’re a toddler in Texas, a grandmother in Tuscany, or a fisherman in Samoa, there comes that sacred moment when the hands open, the shoulders drop, and the heart whispers: It is finished. It was enough. We are all done.
And in that tiny gesture – two palms turning to the sky – every culture on Earth says the same thing without a single spoken word:
Thank you.
Well done.
Rest now.
What about you? How do you sign or say “all done” in your language, your family, your heart? Drop it in the comments – I genuinely can’t wait to learn your version. And if you try any of these signs today (especially the dramatic Italian one), tag me. I’ll be here with open hands, ready to celebrate every beautiful ending with you. 🤟✨
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Hi, I’m Elara Quinn, a professional author with a passion for language, culture, and communication. Through my work at Lingoow.com, I aim to make learning languages simple, fun, and meaningful for readers of all ages. With years of experience in writing and linguistics, I craft content that not only educates but also inspires curiosity and creativity in language learning. At Lingoow.com, I share tips, guides, and insights that help users connect with the beauty of languages around the world. Join me on this journey of words, stories, and discovery!
