Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Be Nice"

To sign 'be nice,' hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Place your flat dominant hand on top, with its palm facing down. Slide your dominant hand forward across the palm of your non-dominant hand in a single, smooth motion.

Examples Using "Be Nice" in a Sentence

1

Please be nice to your brother.

To sign this, you would start by signing 'please' with a flat hand rubbing your chest in a circular motion. Then, perform the single forward slide for 'be nice,' and finish by signing 'brother' or pointing to the person.

2

It is important to be nice.

ASL skips the English 'to be' verbs. You would simply sign 'important' by bringing your F-hands up in a circle, and then sign 'nice' with a smooth slide of your dominant hand over your non-dominant palm.

3

She is always very nice.

Sign 'she' by pointing, then sign 'always' by making a circle with your index finger. Finally, sign 'nice.' You can emphasize 'very' by making the sliding motion slightly larger and showing a warm, expressive smile.

How to Sign "Be Nice"
To sign 'be nice,' hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Place your flat dominant hand on top, with its palm facing down. Slide your dominant hand forward across the palm of your non-dominant hand in a single, smooth motion.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'be nice' is identical to the sign for 'nice' and shares its roots with the concept of 'clean.' The visual logic behind this sign is highly iconic, representing the action of wiping a surface until it is smooth, clear, and free of any dirt or debris. In ASL, a smooth, unblemished surface is metaphorically linked to things that are pleasant, good, or nice. This smooth physical interaction between the hands perfectly translates to the concept of kind, agreeable, and nice behavior.
Signing Tips
When signing 'be nice,' focus on keeping both of your hands relaxed and flat. The motion should be a single, smooth slide forward across your palm. This smooth movement reflects the pleasant and gentle nature of being nice. It is also crucial to remember that your facial expression plays a huge role in ASL. Make sure your face matches the sentiment you are trying to convey—a gentle, sincere smile or a soft expression will help communicate the meaning of 'nice' much more effectively than the hands alone.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make with this sign is rubbing their hands back and forth multiple times instead of doing a single slide. In ASL, a single, smooth forward movement means 'nice' or 'be nice.' However, if you rub your dominant hand back and forth across your non-dominant hand repeatedly, the meaning changes to the verb 'to clean.' To ensure you are clearly communicating 'be nice' and not telling someone to clean up, make sure you only perform one distinct forward sliding motion.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Be Nice" in a Sentence
1

Please be nice to your brother.

To sign this, you would start by signing 'please' with a flat hand rubbing your chest in a circular motion. Then, perform the single forward slide for 'be nice,' and finish by signing 'brother' or pointing to the person.

2

It is important to be nice.

ASL skips the English 'to be' verbs. You would simply sign 'important' by bringing your F-hands up in a circle, and then sign 'nice' with a smooth slide of your dominant hand over your non-dominant palm.

3

She is always very nice.

Sign 'she' by pointing, then sign 'always' by making a circle with your index finger. Finally, sign 'nice.' You can emphasize 'very' by making the sliding motion slightly larger and showing a warm, expressive smile.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'be nice' the same sign as 'nice'?

Yes, in ASL, the sign for 'nice' is used to convey 'be nice'. You do not need a separate sign for 'be'. The context of your sentence, along with your facial expressions, will make it clear that you are giving an instruction or describing someone's behavior.

What is the difference between 'nice' and 'clean'?

They use the exact same handshapes and location! The main difference is in the movement. 'Nice' is typically performed with a single, smooth forward slide of the hand. 'Clean', especially when used as an action verb, often uses a repeated rubbing motion back and forth.

Which hand should be on top?

Your dominant hand should always be the one doing the moving on top. If you are right-handed, your left hand will be the stationary base with the palm facing up, and your right hand will slide across it. Left-handed signers will do the reverse.

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