I still remember the moment clearly.
I was volunteering at a refugee center in Berlin, surrounded by children from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Eritrea.
None of us shared a spoken language. Dinner was late, and a little Syrian girl, maybe six years old, tugged at my sleeve. She placed her hand flat on her stomach, then moved it upward toward her mouth in a gentle clawing motion—her eyes wide, pleading.
In that instant, I understood completely. She was hungry. No words. No translation app. Just a gesture that cut straight through every border and every tongue.
That single handshape reminded me of something profound: hunger is universal, but the way we show it with our bodies—especially in sign language—carries the fingerprints of culture, history, and resilience.
Today, we’re exploring how deaf communities around the world sign the word “hungry.” You’ll learn the signs, the stories behind them, and why these silent expressions feel so emotionally powerful.
Quick Reference Table
| Language | Sign Description | Cultural/Linguistic Note |
| American SL (ASL) | Flat hand slides from stomach up to chin/neck | Emphasizes the throat—hunger as a physical ache |
| British SL (BSL) | Index finger circles tummy clockwise | Playful, child-friendly; often exaggerated with facial expression |
| French SL (LSF) | “C” handshape rubs belly in circles | Very similar to spoken French gesture for hunger |
| German SL (DGS) | Flat hand moves down the torso (chest → belly) | Logical “food goes down” directionality |
| Italian SL (LIS) | Fingers “peck” at the chest repeatedly | Mimics birds pecking—hunger as insistent need |
| Spanish SL (LSE) | Open hand rubs belly clockwise | Almost identical to hearing Spanish gesture |
| Japanese Sign (JSL) | Index finger draws circle on stomach | Minimalist and elegant; facial expression does most of the emotional work |
| Korean Sign (KSL) | Both hands make claw shape, move down torso | Dramatic—shows emptiness of stomach |
| Auslan (Australian) | Same as BSL but often two-handed circle on belly | Warm, communal feel; used freely even among hearing Aussies |
| Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) | “C” hand rubs belly (similar to LSF) | Strong French influence but with distinct Québécois rhythm |
| South African SL (SASL) | Index finger points to open mouth, then down to belly | Direct “mouth → stomach” path; reflects oral culture influence |
| Brazilian SL (Libras) | Hand “eats” toward the mouth repeatedly | Animated and expressive—Brazilians rarely sign anything subtly |
| Irish Sign Language (ISL) | Two fingers “walk” down the torso | Unique marching motion—said to come from old famine-era imagery |
| Mexican Sign (LSM) | Flat hand rubs belly + mouth opens wide | Combines rubbing with strong non-manual features (puffed cheeks) |
| Russian Sign (RSL) | Fingers drum quickly on the stomach | Rapid, urgent—mirrors Russian directness in expressing need |
European Sign Languages
In Europe, many signs for “hungry” trace their roots to the pioneering work of Abbé de l’Épée in 18th-century France. Because French Sign Language (LSF) became the “mother” of so many Western sign systems, you’ll notice the famous belly-rub in France, Spain, Italy, and even parts of Russia.
Yet each country adds its flavor:
- In Ireland, the “walking fingers” down the torso are whispered to remember the Great Famine (1845–1852)—a silent reminder that hunger once stalked the land.
- In Germany and the Netherlands, the sign moves downward (chest → belly), logically following the path food takes. Germans value precision; their signs often do too.
Asian Sign Languages
Asia’s sign languages are gloriously diverse because many developed independently.
- Japanese Sign Language (JSL) is understated: a single index finger circles the stomach once. Emotion comes from the face—sunken cheeks, pleading eyes. Restraint is beautiful.
- Korean Sign Language (KSL) does the opposite: both hands claw downward like you’re scraping an empty bowl. It’s raw and visceral.
- Chinese Sign Language (CSL) uses a rubbing motion similar to Europe, but mainland and Taiwanese signs differ slightly because of political separation.
- Indian Sign Language (ISL) varies wildly by region, but most versions use a claw hand near the throat—reflecting how hunger feels when you literally can’t swallow.
In the Arab world, Arab Sign Language families (Iraqi, Jordanian, Egyptian, etc.) often combine a rubbing belly with an open mouth and tilted head—mirroring the hearing gesture used across the Middle East.
African Sign Languages
Across the African continent, sign languages are younger and often shaped by deaf schools established in the 20th century.
- South African Sign Language points from mouth to stomach—simple, direct, and used in a country where 11 official spoken languages already make gesture vital.
- Ethiopian Sign Language uses a repeated grabbing motion toward the mouth, reflecting a cultural emphasis on communal eating from shared plates.
- Nigerian Sign Language (and its relatives in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda) often traces a line down the center of the torso—symbolizing the emptiness running through the whole body.
In many African deaf communities, signing “hungry” is rarely done alone; it’s accompanied by eye contact and a slight lean forward—an invitation for someone to share food.
Indigenous & Island Sign Languages
Indigenous sign languages often developed in small, tight-knit communities where deafness occurred at higher rates due to genetic factors.
- Inuit Sign Language (Atgangmuurngniq), used in Nunavut, Canada, rubs the belly then gestures outward—some elders say it originally meant “the caribou have not come.”
- Hawaiian Sign Language (‘Ōlelo Hoʻopāʻani) uses a wave-like motion across the stomach—perhaps echoing the ocean’s constant movement.
- Yolngu Sign Language (northern Australia) has over 100 signs just for different kinds of hunger (hungry for fish, hungry for ceremony, spiritually hungry).
- Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (extinct but historically important) simply touched the lips—because on the island, everyone, deaf or hearing, understood.
Cultural Insights
The way we sign “hungry” today carries centuries of memory.
In Ireland and Ukraine, signs still reference famine. In Cambodia, the sign used during the Khmer Rouge era (a claw pulling at an empty stomach) is now being replaced by younger deaf people who never lived through starvation—they want to move forward.
In religious contexts:
- During Ramadan, Muslim deaf people may sign “hungry” with a smile—acknowledging the spiritual benefit of fasting.
- In Buddhist communities of Thailand, the sign can be accompanied by a serene expression—hunger as a teacher of impermanence.
Proverbs & Sayings About Hunger in the Deaf World
- ASL proverb: “Empty stomach, full heart” – signed when someone shares their last food.
- Japanese deaf saying: “Hunger is the best seasoning” – signed with exaggerated rubbing and then a big smile.
- Kenyan deaf proverb: “A hungry person has no ears” – meaning you can’t teach or reason with someone whose stomach is growling.
FAQs
Why do so many sign languages rub the belly?
Because it’s iconic and intuitive. Even hearing people worldwide touch or rub their stomachs when hungry. Sign languages love transparency.
What’s the oldest known sign for “hungry”?
We don’t have video from ancient times, but Plato (4th century BCE) described deaf people in Greece using gestures—likely including stomach-related signs.
Are there taboo ways to sign “hungry”?
In some cultures (parts of East Asia), aggressively signing hunger in public can be seen as impolite or shameful. Facial expression is adjusted accordingly.
Final Thought
That little girl in Berlin didn’t need words. Her hand on her stomach, moving upward in hope, told me everything. In every corner of the planet, deaf people have found ways to say “I’m hungry” that are beautiful, logical, heartbreaking, or joyful—depending on the story their community carries.
Next time you feel that familiar rumble, try signing it—whichever version feels right to you. Close your eyes and imagine millions of hands moving the same way, across deserts, oceans, and mountains.
We are different. We are the same.
Tell me in the comments: How do YOU sign “hungry” in your local sign language? Or share a moment when a simple gesture crossed every language barrier for you. I read every single comment, and I can’t wait to hear your stories.
(And if you’re here because you’re learning sign language—welcome. Keep going. The world gets bigger and kinder every time you learn one more sign.) 🤟
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Luna-Gracelyn, the creative mind behind Lingoow.com, writes with passion and clarity.
As a professional author, she simplifies complex topics for readers worldwide.
Her work inspires, educates, and connects people through powerful, easy-to-understand content.
