How Do You Say Monkey in Sign Language

Say Monkey in Sign Language I’ve always been fascinated by how we can communicate without words, and today, I want to show you, my amazing audience, a fun and easy way to express “monkey” using sign language! Imagine the joy of sharing this simple gesture with friends or teaching it to kids it’s not just learning; it’s connecting in a playful, meaningful way.

Stick with me, and I’ll guide you step by step, making sure you can do it perfectly. Ready to bring a little monkey magic into your day? Let’s dive in!

Quick Reference Table:

Sign Language	How It’s Signed	Little Cultural Note
American Sign Language (ASL)	Both hands scratch up the sides/ribcage twice	Often paired with an “ooh-ooh” monkey face  pure childhood joy
British Sign Language (BSL)	Scratch ribs, sometimes with thumbs in armpits	Feels cheeky, like you’re secretly up to no good
French Sign Language (LSF)	Light, elegant scratching up the ribs	Graceful even when pretending to have fleas
Italian Sign Language (LIS)	Fast, theatrical scratching + big expressive eyes	You’re not just a monkey, you’re performing at the circus
German Sign Language (DGS)	Strong, deliberate scratches on the torso	Practical and no-nonsense  “Yes, this is a monkey. Next.”
Spanish Sign Language (LSE)	Scratch + swinging one arm like a tail	Full-body storytelling; Spain never does anything halfway
Japanese Sign Language (JSL)	Scratch sides OR pull at imaginary big ears	Direct nod to the “three wise monkeys” of see/hear/speak no evil
Chinese Sign Language (CSL)	Scratch chest quickly + sometimes a little hop	Energetic like the Monkey King Sun Wukong causing glorious chaos
Korean Sign Language (KSL)	Scratch armpits + mischievous pout	Captures the zodiac monkey’s clever-but-troublemaking personality
Indian Sign Language (ISL)	Scratch + sometimes a respectful bow of the head	Hanuman, the monkey god, is never far from anyone’s mind
Thai Sign Language	Scratch + circle one hand behind like a curly tail	Playful and precise  Thailand loves its temple monkeys
Brazilian Sign Language (Libras)	Scratch + bounce shoulders like a marmoset	Feels like carnival energy; Brazil’s tiny monkeys are national mascots
South African Sign Language	Scratch + cheek-pouch motion (vervet monkey style)	Directly inspired by the vervets that steal food from braais
Kenyan Sign Language	Scratch + big tail swing	Colobus and baboons are daily neighbors; everyone knows this one
Auslan (Australian)	Scratch + sometimes flick fingers like tossing fleas	Dry Aussie humor: “Yeah, nah, it’s got fleas.”

Europe

Across Europe, the core idea is almost always “scratch the ribs,” but the vibe changes with the culture.

The French do it with ballet-like grace. The Italians turn it into a full comedy routine. The Germans sign it like they’re filing a tax return for a primate. And in the UK, you tuck your thumbs under your armpits and look like you’re about to cause delightful trouble on a council estate. It’s the same animal, but each country projects its personality onto the gesture.

Asia:

In much of Asia, monkeys aren’t just animals  they’re ancestors, gods, and folk heroes.

• In India, the scratch is often softer, almost reverent. You’re not just signing “monkey”  you might be invoking Hanuman, the devoted warrior who lifted mountains.
• In China, the sign explodes with energy because every deaf kid grows up hearing (and signing) stories of the Monkey King flipping through the heavens.
• Japan’s version sometimes skips scratching entirely and just pulls at imaginary huge ears  a quiet tribute to the three wise monkeys carved into shrines for centuries.

Africa:

From Morocco to South Africa, monkeys are neighbors, not zoo exhibits.

Vervet monkeys raid kitchens in Cape Town; baboons hitch rides on cars in Kenya. The signs feel lived-in. South African Sign Language adds the swollen-cheek gesture because everyone knows vervets stuff their faces like chipmunks.

Kenyan Sign Language swings a big imaginary tail because colobus monkeys glide through the trees like black-and-white superheroes.

Indigenous & Island Cultures

• Māori Sign (used alongside New Zealand Sign Language): sometimes incorporates a cheeky tongue poke  pure Polynesian playfulness.
• Hawaiian Sign Language (nearly extinct but being revived): a gentle scratch with flowing hand shapes that feel like island breeze.
• Several Native American signed languages historically used a “capuchin-style” face-scratch because early contact with monks (and their pet monkeys) left a mark on the gesture.

Proverbs & Sayings About Monkeys Around the World

• Japan: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
• Brazil: “A monkey in a suit is still a monkey.”
• India: “Even a monkey falls from a tree” (everyone makes mistakes).
• Jamaica: “Monkey know which tree to climb.”
• Spain: “Though a monkey wears silk, monkey it remains.”

FAQs:

Why do so many sign languages use the exact same “scratching” motion?

Because it’s iconic  it’s what monkeys actually do all day. Deaf communities worldwide independently chose the most obvious, clearest visual. It’s one of the closest things we have to a “universal” sign.

What’s the funniest variation you’ve seen?

Hands down: some Brazilian deaf kids add a little booty-shake because marmosets dance when they’re excited. Instant party.

Do any cultures sign “monkey” in a completely different way?

Yes  a few older signers in parts of West Africa use a “stealing” motion (hand snatches something quick) because monkeys are legendary pickpockets.

Final Thought

We may speak a thousand spoken languages and sign in hundreds more, but curl your fingers, scratch your ribs, and scrunch your face  suddenly the whole world understands you. In that tiny gesture lives curiosity, mischief, joy, and the reminder that deep down, we’re all just a little bit monkey.

Now it’s your turn:

What’s “monkey” in your sign language? Or what childhood monkey memory makes you laugh every time you sign it? Drop it in the comments  I can’t wait to learn your version.

---