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Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Sign of the Day
nervous
BSL 'nervous' shows trembling hands at the chest/stomach, reflecting internal unease. Non-manual features like furrowed brows are key
A2 Common Adjective British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Both hands form loose fists (A-hand or S-hand)
Hands tremble or shake alternately or simultaneously
Expressing personal anxiety, describing someone else's apprehension
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 loose fists with both hands (A/S-hand)
- Place hands in front of your chest or stomach
- Palms face inward or slightly down
- Tremble or shake hands gently, simultaneously or alternately
- Accompany with a worried facial expression
Coach prompt
Practice with appropriate facial expressions and body language
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands form loose fists (A-hand or S-hand) · Code A-hand
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Inward/Down
Eyebrows
Furrowed
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
'pfff' (slight exhalation of anxiety)
Body shift
Slight forward slump or tension
Use It Today
Move from recognition to real-life use
Everything below is designed to make the sign sticky: where it feels natural, what learners miss, and how to use it without sounding robotic.
I am nervous about my exam
Facial expression is crucial to distinguish from 'cold' or 'shivering'
Best fit: Expressing personal anxiety, describing someone else's apprehension
Mirror focus
Practice with appropriate facial expressions and body language
Catch the slip
Ensure hands are loose fists, not open, and movement is a subtle tremble, not vigorous shaking
Use it today
I am nervous about my exam
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'cold' or 'shivering' if NMFs are unclear
When not to use it: When describing excitement; use the sign for 'excited'
Regional note: Minimal variation in core movement
Cultural note: Direct eye contact may be avoided when discussing personal nervousness
1.[en] I'm nervous about the presentation. / BSL:[Signer shows worried face]
2.[en] She felt nervous before the interview. / BSL:[Slight slump, trembling hands]
3.[en] Don't be nervous, you'll do great. / BSL:[Reassuring tone, gentle NMF]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for nervous?
A learner would use this sign to express personal anxiety about an event, describe someone else's apprehension, or discuss feelings of worry or unease in general conversation.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing nervous in BSL?
Beginners often fail to include the crucial non-manual features (NMFs) like a worried facial expression. Without NMFs, it can be confused with signs for 'cold' or 'shiver'.
Does the BSL sign for nervous change by region or context?
The core movement of trembling hands is quite consistent across regions in BSL. However, the intensity of the non-manual features might vary subtly depending on the context and individual expression.
Is the BSL sign for nervous suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, it is a relatively straightforward and common sign. Children can easily learn it, especially when paired with clear facial expressions and body language to convey the emotion.
Which sign is most often confused with nervous in BSL?
The sign for 'cold' or 'shivering' is frequently confused with 'nervous'. The key distinction lies in the non-manual features: 'nervous' has a worried or anxious face, while 'cold' shows discomfort from temperature.
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Word web
Anxious
worried
uneasy
apprehensive
Calm
confident
relaxed
Stress
fear
worry
anxiety
scared
Worry
Afraid
Stress
Calm
NERVOUS (trembling fists at chest, worried face) vs COLD (same trembling hands, but with a shivering mouth and body language for temperature). NERVOUS vs SCARED (hands jump up to chest, palms in, often with sharp intake of breath and wider eyes). 'Nervous' implies apprehension; 'scared' implies sudden fear. NERVOUS vs ANXIOUS (often similar, but ANXIOUS can show more internal restless worry or fidgeting)
Emotion
feeling
anxiety
apprehension
worry
Anxious
scared
uneasy
tremble
emotion
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