To sign "beans," start by extending the index finger of your non-dominant hand horizontally across your body, pointing to the side. With your dominant hand, pinch your thumb and index finger together. Tap this pinched shape along the length of your non-dominant index finger, starting from the tip and moving toward the base, as if you are picking or feeling beans lined up inside a pod.
Sign 'I', 'like', 'eat', 'green', and then 'beans' by tapping your pinched dominant fingers along your extended non-dominant index finger.
Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'you', 'want', 'beans', 'with', 'dinner'. Remember to move the pinch down the length of your finger for 'beans'.
Sign 'we', 'grow', 'beans', 'in', 'garden'. The sign for 'beans' visually represents the long pod growing on the plant, making it a very natural addition to gardening vocabulary.
Sign 'I', 'like', 'eat', 'green', and then 'beans' by tapping your pinched dominant fingers along your extended non-dominant index finger.
Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'you', 'want', 'beans', 'with', 'dinner'. Remember to move the pinch down the length of your finger for 'beans'.
Sign 'we', 'grow', 'beans', 'in', 'garden'. The sign for 'beans' visually represents the long pod growing on the plant, making it a very natural addition to gardening vocabulary.
They are very similar and often use the exact same motion! However, 'peas' is sometimes signed by tapping the side of the index finger or using a 'P' handshape, while 'beans' might occasionally use a 'B' handshape in some regions. The pinching motion shown here is widely understood for both depending on the context.
Yes, you should always use your non-dominant hand as the stationary 'pod' (the extended index finger). Your dominant hand, which is naturally more dexterous and active, should perform the pinching motion moving down the finger.
You don't need to count a specific number of taps. Usually, two or three quick pinching taps as you move from the tip of your non-dominant index finger toward the base is perfect for conveying the meaning naturally.
