How to Sign "Burrito"

To sign "burrito," bring both hands in front of your chest. Use your non-dominant hand as a base, keeping it slightly cupped with the palm facing inward. Bring your dominant hand over the top of your non-dominant hand and curl your fingers around it, mimicking the motion of rolling up a soft tortilla to make a burrito.

Examples Using "Burrito" in a Sentence

1

I want a chicken burrito for lunch.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I,' sign 'want,' 'chicken,' and then 'burrito.' Finish with the sign for 'lunch.' Make sure to emphasize the rolling motion for 'burrito' so it stands out clearly in the sentence.

2

Do you like spicy burritos?

Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly. Sign 'you,' 'like,' 'spicy,' and then finish the sentence with the rolling motion of the 'burrito' sign.

3

Let's make burritos for dinner.

Sign 'let's,' 'make,' 'burrito,' and 'dinner.' The rolling motion of the 'burrito' sign fits perfectly with the action of preparing the meal, making the sentence flow naturally and visually.

How to Sign "Burrito"
To sign "burrito," bring both hands in front of your chest. Use your non-dominant hand as a base, keeping it slightly cupped with the palm facing inward. Bring your dominant hand over the top of your non-dominant hand and curl your fingers around it, mimicking the motion of rolling up a soft tortilla to make a burrito.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'burrito' is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the physical object or action it describes. In this case, it mimics the real-life action of preparing the food. Your non-dominant hand represents the filling or the base of the soft tortilla, while your dominant hand mimics the physical action of wrapping the tortilla tightly around the ingredients to form the final shape of a burrito.
Signing Tips
Focus on making the rolling motion clear and deliberate. Your non-dominant hand should stay relatively still as the base, while your dominant hand does the active wrapping movement. Keep your hands relaxed and slightly curved to accurately represent the shape of a soft tortilla being folded. Practicing this in front of a mirror can help ensure the gesture looks like rolling food rather than just clasping your hands together.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using completely flat hands instead of slightly cupped hands, which makes the sign look like you are stacking papers rather than rolling food. Another frequent error is moving both hands equally in a circular motion. Remember that your non-dominant hand should act as a stationary base while only your dominant hand actively wraps around it.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Burrito" in a Sentence
1

I want a chicken burrito for lunch.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I,' sign 'want,' 'chicken,' and then 'burrito.' Finish with the sign for 'lunch.' Make sure to emphasize the rolling motion for 'burrito' so it stands out clearly in the sentence.

2

Do you like spicy burritos?

Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly. Sign 'you,' 'like,' 'spicy,' and then finish the sentence with the rolling motion of the 'burrito' sign.

3

Let's make burritos for dinner.

Sign 'let's,' 'make,' 'burrito,' and 'dinner.' The rolling motion of the 'burrito' sign fits perfectly with the action of preparing the meal, making the sentence flow naturally and visually.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for burrito the same as the sign for wrap?

They are very similar and often use the exact same rolling motion, as both foods are prepared in a similar way. Context within your conversation will usually clarify whether you are talking about a Mexican burrito or a generic sandwich wrap.

Does it matter which hand does the rolling?

Yes, it does. You should always use your dominant hand to do the active rolling motion over your non-dominant hand. This follows the general ASL rule where the dominant hand performs the primary action while the non-dominant hand acts as the base.

Should my hands touch during the sign?

Yes, your dominant hand should lightly touch and wrap over your non-dominant hand. This physical contact helps convey the idea of a tortilla tightly wrapping around the filling as it is being rolled up.

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