Classifiers or classifier predicates represent the most complex part of grammar in sign languages. Using their handshape, they give information about some characteristics of the entity they represent, an d with their movement and place of articulation, they place that entity in space and give information about its movement. There are 4 types of classifiers in HZJ: Whole Body E ntity Cl assifiers, H andling C lassifiers, Size and Shape Specifiers , Body Part Entity Classifiers . The aim of this paper was to investigate in which situations the original signers choose the shape of the hand [1], index finger, or the shape of the hand [2], index and middle finger, in entity classifiers when the referent is a human or a personified animal. The sample of respondents consisted of 5 original HZJ signers who come from deaf families, and the material used was assumed to encourage the respondents to produce classifiers, while retell ing a cartoon. Analysis of the video mat erial revealed that the shape of the hand [2] is significantly more prevalent in HZJ and is preferred when it represents the way in which the entity crossed a certain path. It has also been established that respondents choose a certain variation of the han d shape [2] when the lexicalized verb, which could also be used in recounting the same event, has the same hand shape or when the hand shape matches the hand shape for the adverbial place marker. This paper contributes to the understanding of the classifie rs and grammar of HZJ.