Archive Replay Friday, March 13, 2026

Sign of the Day

cement

The BSL sign for "cement" depicts the action of mixing or grinding a powdery substance. It uses a dominant G-hand (or F-hand) rubbing on a non-dominant flat B-hand, representing the fine texture and mixing process

A2 Uncommon Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Technical
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Daily focus

Today’s meaning

A fine grey powder that is mixed with water, sand, and gravel to make concrete or mortar

Source
Today’s Snapshot

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Level A2
Frequency Uncommon
Class Noun
Hand count Two-handed
Movement Repeated, Linear
Location Non-dominant palm
Face & eyes Neutral facial expression
Language British Sign Language (BSL) · United Kingdom
Shape cue

Dominant G-hand (or F-hand), non-dominant flat B-hand

Motion cue

Dominant G-hand (or F-hand) rubs back and forth horizontally on the non-dominant palm

Meaning cue

Used when discussing construction, building materials, or DIY projects involving concrete

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

  1. Form non-dominant flat B-hand, palm up
  2. Place dominant G-hand (or F-hand) on non-dominant palm
  3. Rub dominant hand back and forth horizontally on the palm
  4. Repeat 2-3 times
Coach prompt

Practice the handshapes and rubbing movement smoothly. Focus on clear contact

Signature details

Handshape Dominant G-hand (or F-hand), non-dominant flat B-hand · Code G, F, B
Dominant hand Either
Symmetry Asymmetric
Contact Touch
Palm orientation Dominant palm faces non-dominant palm; non-dominant palm faces up
Eyebrows Neutral
Eye gaze Forward
Head movement None
Mouth morpheme 'mm' shape, or mouthing 'cement'
Body shift No
Use It Today

Move from recognition to real-life use

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Natural example
The builder mixed the cement

Often accompanied by a mouthing of 'cement' or an 'mm' mouth shape

Best fit: Used when discussing construction, building materials, or DIY projects involving concrete

Daily drills
Mirror focus

Practice the handshapes and rubbing movement smoothly. Focus on clear contact

Catch the slip

Ensure the dominant hand rubs *on* the non-dominant palm, not just above it. Maintain consistent handshapes

Use it today

The builder mixed the cement

Watch-outs

Common mistakes: Confusing with the sign for 'concrete' or general 'mix'

When not to use it: Avoid using when specifically referring to hardened 'concrete', which has a different sign

Regional note: Minor variations in dominant handshape (G vs F) may exist

Cultural note: An essential material in construction throughout the UK

Practice line

1.[en] We need more cement. / BSL:[Sign CEMENT, then MORE]

Practice line

2.[en] The cement is dry. / BSL:[Sign CEMENT, then DRY]

Practice line

3.[en] Mix the cement carefully. / BSL:[Sign MIX, then CEMENT]

Connect the Dots

Turn one sign into a small learning cluster

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Word web

N/A N/A Concrete Mortar Builder Wall Building Concrete Building Wall Mortar Mix Powder

Concrete: Similar: Both use a non-dominant flat B-hand. Different: Concrete uses a dominant C-hand tapping on the B-hand, then forming a fist. Cement refers to the powder, concrete to the hardened mixture.
Mix: Similar: Involves two hands. Different: "Mix" often uses two flat B-hands in a stirring motion, not a rubbing action. The handshapes and movement are distinct.
Sand: Similar: Can involve rubbing. Different: "Sand" often involves rubbing fingertips or a flat hand, but the specific handshapes (G/F on B) and motion for "cement" are distinct

Construction materials building DIY BSL cement sign for cement building material BSL construction BSL mix
concrete BSL sign A2
concrete

A building material made from cement, aggregate, and water
building BSL sign A1
building

A structure with walls and a roof, like a house or factory
wall BSL sign A1
wall

A vertical barrier, usually of brick or stone, enclosing or dividing an area
thirst BSL sign A1
thirst

Feeling a need or desire to drink
lesson BSL sign A1
lesson

A period of instruction or learning
volleyball BSL sign A2
volleyball

A team sport where players hit a ball over a net with their hands
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Today cement A2 Thu sport A1 Wed nervous A2 Tue red A1 Mon hear A1 Sun iron stove B1 Sat roof window B1
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Video credit: The demonstration video on this page is credited to SpreadTheSign. The video remains the property of the original rightholder.

All written explanations, learning notes, examples, comparisons, and page design on this page are SignDeaf educational material.

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