How to Sign "Aggressive"

To sign 'aggressive', form both hands into 'claw' shapes by bending your fingers. Hold them in front of your chest with your palms facing inward. Move your hands in an alternating, forward circular motion, as if you are aggressively clawing at something. Be sure to use an intense facial expression with furrowed eyebrows to convey the meaning.

Examples Using "Aggressive" in a Sentence

1

The dog is very aggressive.

Sign 'DOG', then sign 'AGGRESSIVE'. Make sure your facial expression matches the intensity of the dog's behavior by furrowing your eyebrows and moving your hands sharply.

2

He plays basketball aggressively.

Sign 'HE', 'PLAY', 'BASKETBALL', and then 'AGGRESSIVE'. The sign for aggressive here describes his intense style of play, so use a strong, forceful motion.

3

You don't need to be so aggressive.

Point to the person ('YOU'), sign 'DON'T', and then sign 'AGGRESSIVE'. Soften your facial expression slightly on 'DON'T' to show that you are asking them to calm down.

How to Sign "Aggressive"
To sign 'aggressive', form both hands into 'claw' shapes by bending your fingers. Hold them in front of your chest with your palms facing inward. Move your hands in an alternating, forward circular motion, as if you are aggressively clawing at something. Be sure to use an intense facial expression with furrowed eyebrows to convey the meaning.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic. The clawed handshapes and the forceful, alternating forward movements visually mimic the physical action of an aggressive animal or person reaching out to attack, grab, or claw at something.
Signing Tips
Facial expression is a critical component of this sign. To truly convey the meaning of 'aggressive', you must furrow your eyebrows, tense your face, and make the clawing motion sharp and forceful. A relaxed face will make the sign look like a gentle digging motion rather than an aggressive action.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is forgetting to alternate their hands, moving them both forward at the same time instead. Additionally, many learners forget to use the necessary intense facial expression, which strips the sign of its intended emotion.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Aggressive" in a Sentence
1

The dog is very aggressive.

Sign 'DOG', then sign 'AGGRESSIVE'. Make sure your facial expression matches the intensity of the dog's behavior by furrowing your eyebrows and moving your hands sharply.

2

He plays basketball aggressively.

Sign 'HE', 'PLAY', 'BASKETBALL', and then 'AGGRESSIVE'. The sign for aggressive here describes his intense style of play, so use a strong, forceful motion.

3

You don't need to be so aggressive.

Point to the person ('YOU'), sign 'DON'T', and then sign 'AGGRESSIVE'. Soften your facial expression slightly on 'DON'T' to show that you are asking them to calm down.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a specific facial expression when signing 'aggressive'?

Yes! In ASL, facial expressions are just as important as hand movements. To accurately sign 'aggressive', you should furrow your eyebrows and show intensity on your face to match the meaning of the word.

Can I use this sign for both an aggressive person and an aggressive animal?

Absolutely. This sign is versatile and can be used to describe the aggressive behavior of a person, an animal, or even an aggressive sports play or business tactic.

Should my hands move together or alternate?

Your hands should move in an alternating pattern. While one hand is moving forward and down in its circular path, the other hand should be coming back up.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!