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Monday, May 11, 2026
Sign of the Day
scrape
The BSL sign for 'scrape' visually represents the action of rubbing a surface with a bent hand. It typically involves a repeated, brushing movement of the dominant hand across the non-dominant hand or arm
A2 Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Dominant hand forms a bent 5-hand (fingers curled loosely like a claw). Non-dominant hand is a flat B-hand, palm up
Dominant hand (bent 5-hand) moves repeatedly across the non-dominant palm or forearm
Used for physical acts like scraping a plate, scraping skin, or scraping by (figurative)
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 dominant hand into a bent 5-hand (fingers loosely curled)
- Form non-dominant hand into a flat B-hand, palm up
- Place dominant bent hand on non-dominant palm or forearm
- Move dominant hand repeatedly in a short, linear brushing motion across the surface
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'scrape' on different parts of your non-dominant arm to convey different surfaces or contexts
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand forms a bent 5-hand (fingers curled loosely like a claw). Non-dominant hand is a flat B-hand, palm up · Code B5 (bent 5) on non-dominant, B (flat) on dominant
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Brush
Palm orientation
Dominant palm typically faces down or towards non-dominant hand. Non-dominant palm faces up
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Often neutral, sometimes a slight 'mm' for effort or 'cha' for action
Body shift
None
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.
1.[en] I scraped my knee falling over. / BSL:[note] I/ME KNEE SCRAPE
The intensity and speed of the movement can indicate the force of the scraping action
Best fit: Used for physical acts like scraping a plate, scraping skin, or scraping by (figurative)
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'scrape' on different parts of your non-dominant arm to convey different surfaces or contexts
Catch the slip
Ensure your dominant hand's fingers are bent (like a claw) and the movement is a clear, repeated brush
Use it today
1.[en] I scraped my knee falling over. / BSL:[note] I/ME KNEE SCRAPE
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'clean' or 'scratch', not using the correct handshape or movement path
When not to use it: Not used for 'scraping' data (use COLLECT/GATHER information)
Regional note: Minor variations in handshape or exact location may exist but the core movement is consistent
Cultural note: N/A
1.[en] My car scraped the wall. / BSL:[note] MY CAR WALL SCRAPE.
2.[en] Please scrape the food off the plate. / BSL:[note] PLATE FOOD SCRAPE PLEASE.
3.[en] He scraped by financially. / BSL:[note] HE MONEY SCRAPE (figurative, often with 'just' or 'hard')
When would a learner use the BSL sign for scrape?
A learner would use this sign to describe physical actions like removing something from a surface with friction, injuring skin by rubbing against a rough object, or metaphorically 'scraping by' in a difficult situation.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing scrape in BSL?
Beginners might confuse it with signs like CLEAN or SCRATCH, or use an incorrect handshape (e.g., flat hand instead of bent fingers). Ensure the fingers are clearly bent and the movement is a distinct, repeated brushing action.
Does the BSL sign for scrape change by region or context?
While the core meaning and movement are generally consistent across BSL regions, there might be minor variations in the exact handshape or the specific contact point on the non-dominant arm. Context can influence the intensity of the movement.
Is the BSL sign for scrape suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, the sign for 'scrape' is relatively straightforward and iconic, making it suitable for beginners and children. Its visual nature helps with comprehension and retention for basic communication.
Which sign is most often confused with scrape in BSL?
The sign for 'scrape' is often confused with 'CLEAN' (especially wiping motions) or 'SCRATCH'. 'CLEAN' usually involves a smoother, broader wipe. 'SCRATCH' often uses a G-hand or X-hand, implying a sharper, more pointed action.
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Word web
graze
abrade
rub
scratch
grate
smooth
polish
fill
mend
scratch
rub
clean
skin
graze
scratch
rub
The sign for SCRAPE (bent 5-hand rubbing) differs from CLEAN (flat B-hand wiping, often broader) as SCRAPE implies more friction or removal of a layer. It differs from SCRATCH (G-hand or X-hand moving sharply across a surface) as SCRATCH is about making a mark, while SCRAPE is often about removal or injury. SCRAPE's movement is typically more sustained and repetitive than a single SCRATCH
action
injury
cleaning
effort
scrape
scratch
rub
graze
clean
Action
Injury
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