How to Sign "Breast"

To sign 'breast', form a bent handshape with your dominant hand by keeping your fingers together and bending them at the knuckles. Tap your fingertips against one side of your chest, then move your hand across and tap the other side of your chest.

Examples Using "Breast" in a Sentence

1

She is a breast cancer survivor.

To sign this, you would sign 'breast', then 'cancer', followed by 'survive' and the person marker to indicate someone who has survived.

2

The recipe calls for chicken breast.

Begin by signing 'chicken' near your mouth, then use the sign for 'breast' to specify the exact cut of meat needed for the recipe.

3

My breast hurts.

Point to yourself or sign 'my', sign 'breast', and then perform the sign for 'hurt' near your chest to indicate where the pain is located.

How to Sign "Breast"
To sign 'breast', form a bent handshape with your dominant hand by keeping your fingers together and bending them at the knuckles. Tap your fingertips against one side of your chest, then move your hand across and tap the other side of your chest.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'breast' is highly iconic and visually motivated, relying on direct indication. By using a bent handshape to tap both sides of the upper torso, the sign physically outlines and highlights the anatomical location of the breasts on the chest. This straightforward, location-based approach is very common in ASL for vocabulary related to body parts.
Signing Tips
When signing 'breast', focus on maintaining a clear bent handshape throughout the movement. Keep your fingers together and bend them cleanly at the knuckles, rather than curving them loosely. Ensure your taps are gentle and placed specifically on the upper chest area. Starting on the side of your dominant hand makes the movement feel more natural and fluid as you cross over to the other side.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is using a flat palm instead of a bent handshape. Using a flat palm against the chest is the sign for 'my' or 'mine', which can completely change the meaning of your sentence. Additionally, be careful not to tap too low on the torso; the sign should be placed clearly on the upper chest to accurately convey the intended meaning.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Breast" in a Sentence
1

She is a breast cancer survivor.

To sign this, you would sign 'breast', then 'cancer', followed by 'survive' and the person marker to indicate someone who has survived.

2

The recipe calls for chicken breast.

Begin by signing 'chicken' near your mouth, then use the sign for 'breast' to specify the exact cut of meat needed for the recipe.

3

My breast hurts.

Point to yourself or sign 'my', sign 'breast', and then perform the sign for 'hurt' near your chest to indicate where the pain is located.

Frequently Asked Questions
How is the sign for 'breast' different from 'chest'?

The sign for 'chest' is typically performed using flat hands that tap or sweep upward on the chest area. In contrast, 'breast' uses a specific bent handshape that taps one side of the chest and then the other.

Can I use this sign when talking about food, like chicken breast?

Yes, you can! When discussing cooking or ordering food, it is perfectly acceptable to sign 'chicken' followed by 'breast' to specify that particular cut of meat.

Does it matter which side of the chest I tap first?

It is standard to start on the side of your dominant hand. If you are right-handed, tap the right side of your chest first, then move to the left side.

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