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Friday, December 26, 2025
Sign of the Day
concrete
The BSL sign for 'concrete' uses both hands to represent the material. The non-dominant hand acts as a flat surface, while the dominant hand, formed into a fist, repeatedly taps on it to convey hardness and solidity
A2 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Non-dominant hand flat B-hand, palm up. Dominant hand S-hand (fist)
Dominant S-hand repeatedly taps the palm of the non-dominant B-hand
Used when discussing construction, building materials, or hard surfaces
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
Use the numbered steps first, then check the sign anatomy cards to clean up the small details that make the sign look fluent instead of approximate.
How to form the sign
- Form non-dominant hand into a flat B-hand, palm up
- Place non-dominant hand in front of your body, around waist height
- Form dominant hand into an S-hand (fist)
- Tap the dominant S-hand repeatedly onto the palm of the non-dominant B-hand (2-3 taps)
Coach prompt
Practice the two distinct handshapes and the repeated tapping movement. Focus on consistent rhythm
Signature details
Handshape
Non-dominant hand flat B-hand, palm up. Dominant hand S-hand (fist) · Code NDB-DH S
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Tap
Palm orientation
Non-dominant palm up; dominant palm towards non-dominant
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
(Silent mouthing of 'concrete' is common)
Body shift
None
Use It Today
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The new road was made from strong concrete
This sign specifically refers to the building material
Best fit: Used when discussing construction, building materials, or hard surfaces
Mirror focus
Practice the two distinct handshapes and the repeated tapping movement. Focus on consistent rhythm
Catch the slip
Ensure your dominant hand forms a clear S-hand (fist) and taps firmly but not harshly. The non-dominant hand should remain flat and steady
Use it today
The new road was made from strong concrete
Common mistakes: Confusing it with the adjective 'concrete' (meaning specific or real)
When not to use it: Do not use for the adjective 'concrete' (e.g., 'a concrete idea'); a different sign is used for that concept
Regional note: Minor variations in tapping intensity or exact location on the palm may exist
Cultural note: Concrete is a fundamental material in UK infrastructure and housing, making this a common and practical sign
1.[en] They used a lot of concrete. / BSL:[Sign 'concrete' then 'a lot']
2.[en] The wall is made of concrete. / BSL:[Sign 'wall' then 'concrete']
3.[en] We need more concrete. / BSL:[Sign 'we need' then 'concrete']
What is the BSL sign for concrete?
The BSL sign for 'concrete' involves the non-dominant hand forming a flat B-hand (palm up), and the dominant hand forming an S-hand (fist) and repeatedly tapping on the non-dominant palm.
How do you sign concrete in BSL?
To sign 'concrete' in BSL, hold your non-dominant hand flat with the palm up. Make a fist with your dominant hand (S-hand). Tap your dominant fist repeatedly (2-3 times) onto the palm of your non-dominant hand.
Is concrete one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
The BSL sign for 'concrete' is a two-handed sign, as it requires both hands to perform the action and convey the meaning of the material.
What handshape is used for concrete in BSL?
The BSL sign for 'concrete' uses two handshapes: a flat B-hand for the non-dominant hand and an S-hand (fist) for the dominant hand.
How does concrete differ from similar signs in BSL?
'Concrete' differs from 'hard' (adjective) which uses two S-hands tapping together or on another body part. It differs from 'brick' which often uses a flat hand to outline a shape. 'Concrete' uniquely combines the flat surface with the tapping fist.
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Word web
Cement
aggregate
building material
Wood
air
fluid
soft
Building
foundation
pavement
construction
Cement
Building
Foundation
Hard
Construction
The sign for 'concrete' uses a non-dominant flat B-hand and a dominant S-hand tapping. This differentiates it from the adjective 'HARD' (difficult), which typically uses two S-hands tapping together or a single S-hand tapping the chest/chin. It's also distinct from 'BRICK' which often involves one or two B-hands outlining a rectangular shape, and 'WALL' which uses two B-hands to depict a vertical surface. The specific combination of a flat base and repeated fist-tapping defines 'concrete' as a material
Construction
material
building
engineering
hard
Concrete BSL
building material BSL
cement BSL
construction sign
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