Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Rarely"

To sign 'rarely,' start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form your dominant hand into an 'open-8' handshape by spreading your fingers and bending your middle finger forward. Tap the tip of your bent middle finger against the palm of your non-dominant hand, then quickly bounce it upward.

Examples Using "Rarely" in a Sentence

1

I rarely eat fast food.

To express this sentence, you would sign 'rarely' right before signing 'eat' to clearly show that consuming fast food is a very infrequent action for you. Emphasize the rarity with a slight head shake.

2

It rarely snows here.

Use the sign for 'rarely' followed immediately by the sign for 'snow.' This structure helps indicate just how uncommon the weather event is in your specific location, making your message clear to the viewer.

3

She rarely gets sick.

Begin by pointing to the person, then sign 'rarely' before signing 'sick.' This sequence emphasizes the infrequency of her illness, and a surprised or serious facial expression can further highlight her unusually good health.

How to Sign "Rarely"
To sign 'rarely,' start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form your dominant hand into an 'open-8' handshape by spreading your fingers and bending your middle finger forward. Tap the tip of your bent middle finger against the palm of your non-dominant hand, then quickly bounce it upward.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'rarely,' which is also commonly used for the word 'seldom,' relies on the open-8 handshape. In American Sign Language, this specific handshape is frequently associated with sensitivity, feelings, or pinpointing specific moments of contact. The visual logic behind this sign is quite intuitive: the quick, singular, bouncing tap of the middle finger on the palm visually represents an event that only 'touches down' or occurs on very rare occasions. It perfectly illustrates something that happens sparingly rather than a continuous, heavy, or regular presence.
Signing Tips
When practicing the sign for 'rarely,' focus on the precision of your handshape. Make sure to clearly bend only your middle finger on your dominant hand, keeping your other fingers extended and comfortably spread. The movement should be a light, quick tap that immediately bounces off your non-dominant palm, almost as if you are touching a hot surface. To make your signing more expressive and natural, incorporate a slight head shake or a subtle facial expression that conveys the idea of infrequency or scarcity. This non-manual marker adds important context to your sign.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make with this sign is using a completely flat hand or pointing with their index finger instead of forming the correct open-8 handshape. It is crucial that only the middle finger makes contact. Another frequent error is allowing the dominant hand to rest heavily on the non-dominant palm after the tap. The sign requires a quick, light bouncing motion to accurately convey the concept of something happening infrequently. Resting the hand can confuse the meaning or make the sign look sloppy.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Rarely" in a Sentence
1

I rarely eat fast food.

To express this sentence, you would sign 'rarely' right before signing 'eat' to clearly show that consuming fast food is a very infrequent action for you. Emphasize the rarity with a slight head shake.

2

It rarely snows here.

Use the sign for 'rarely' followed immediately by the sign for 'snow.' This structure helps indicate just how uncommon the weather event is in your specific location, making your message clear to the viewer.

3

She rarely gets sick.

Begin by pointing to the person, then sign 'rarely' before signing 'sick.' This sequence emphasizes the infrequency of her illness, and a surprised or serious facial expression can further highlight her unusually good health.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same sign as 'seldom'?

Yes, the sign for 'rarely' is the exact same sign used for the word 'seldom.' In American Sign Language, signs are based on concepts rather than direct English translations. Since both words convey the identical idea of something happening very infrequently, they share this specific ASL sign.

Can I use this sign to mean 'barely' or 'hardly'?

While 'rarely' and 'barely' sound similar in English, they use completely different signs in ASL. 'Rarely' refers to how often something happens (frequency in time), whereas 'barely' or 'hardly' usually refers to a small amount, a close call, or a struggle to complete an action.

Does it matter which hand I use to tap?

Yes, it does matter! You should always use your dominant hand (the hand you write with) to perform the active tapping motion. Your non-dominant hand should act as the stationary base palm. Keeping this consistent helps make your signing clear and easy for others to understand.

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