To sign 'hairbrush', form your dominant hand into an 'A' handshape (a closed fist with the thumb resting on the side), as if you are gripping the handle of a brush. Bring your hand up to the side of your head near the top. Move your hand downward along your hair in a short, repeated brushing motion.
Sign 'where', point to yourself for 'my', and then sign 'hairbrush' using the downward brushing motion at the side of your head.
Sign 'I', 'need', 'buy', 'new', and finish with the sign for 'hairbrush', keeping the 'A' handshape firm as if holding a handle.
Point to the person for 'your', sign 'hairbrush', and then sign 'borrow', making sure to raise your eyebrows to indicate you are asking a yes/no question.
Sign 'where', point to yourself for 'my', and then sign 'hairbrush' using the downward brushing motion at the side of your head.
Sign 'I', 'need', 'buy', 'new', and finish with the sign for 'hairbrush', keeping the 'A' handshape firm as if holding a handle.
Point to the person for 'your', sign 'hairbrush', and then sign 'borrow', making sure to raise your eyebrows to indicate you are asking a yes/no question.
While both involve a grooming motion near the head, 'comb' uses a clawed handshape to represent the teeth of a comb running through the hair. 'Hairbrush' uses a closed fist ('A' handshape) to represent holding a solid brush handle.
It can mean both! In ASL, noun-verb pairs are very common. Typically, the noun 'hairbrush' uses a smaller, repeated motion, while the verb 'to brush hair' might use a larger, more continuous sweeping motion. Context will usually make your meaning clear.
You do not have to make physical contact with your hair, especially if you don't want to mess up your hairstyle! Hovering your hand an inch or two away from your head while performing the brushing motion is perfectly acceptable and easily understood.
