How to Sign "I Love You" in American Sign Language

In Amsterdam they may say "Ik hou van je." In Paris, they most certainly say "Je t'aime." In Albania, they'll say "Te dua," and in Zulu, "Ngiyakuthanda!" It's the phrase we know as "I love you," and this is how you can say it in American Sign Language (ASL).

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Signing "I Love You"

1
Point to yourself.
2
Make a gentle fist with both hands, and cross them over your heart as if you're hugging somebody close.^{[1]
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3
Point to your loved one.
4
Put the steps together all at once, and say, “I love you!”^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Signing "I Love You" Alternatively

1
Make a fist. Don’t make it too tight, and smile when you do it—you’re about to tell somebody something wonderful.
2
Lift up your pinky finger. This creates the sign language symbol for the personal pronoun "I.”^{[3]
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3
Lift up your index finger. This would resemble horns with the two fingers. Unless you’re ready to rock, move quickly to the next step!^{[4]
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4
Lift up your thumb. The index finger and thumb create the letter "L," and the pinky finger in concert with the thumb creates the "Y.”^{[5]
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5
Put the steps together all at once, and say, “I love you!”^{[6]
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Community Q&A

Question

How can I practice sign language?

Community Answer

Watch tutorials on YouTube. I would recommend getting a tutor who can teach sign language as well, but the tutorials will help a lot.
Question

Which way do I hold my hand to sign "I love you"?

Community Answer

You will hold your hand in multiple ways. You will point to yourself when you say "I" and then point to the person you're speaking to when you say "you."
Question

How do I say "Mary" in sign language?

Community Answer

The name Mary is finger spelled by putting your thumb between your pinky and ring finger “M”, then close your fist and have your thumb next to your index finger “A”, the “R” is made by crossing your middle and index finger. Finally “Y” is made by sticking out your thumb and pinky. It should look like the letter “Y”.