How to Sign "Rawr"

To sign 'rawr,' start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Place your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant palm. Then, lift your dominant hand upward and forward while curling your fingers into a claw shape, mimicking an animal standing up and roaring.

Examples Using "Rawr" in a Sentence

1

The dinosaur went rawr!

Sign 'dinosaur' followed by the sign for 'rawr,' making sure to use a big, expressive facial expression to show the dinosaur's roar.

2

My little brother loves to say rawr.

Use this sign when describing your brother's playful roaring, keeping the movement light and fun to match the context.

3

The lion let out a loud rawr.

Sign 'lion' and then use a strong, forceful movement for 'rawr' to convey the loudness and power of the animal.

How to Sign "Rawr"
To sign 'rawr,' start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Place your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant palm. Then, lift your dominant hand upward and forward while curling your fingers into a claw shape, mimicking an animal standing up and roaring.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic, visually representing an animal or monster lifting its paw from the ground and extending its claws to roar.
Signing Tips
Use your facial expressions to match the intensity of the 'rawr.' A playful roar should have a fun, exaggerated expression, while a scary monster roar might involve furrowed eyebrows and an open mouth.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to use the non-dominant base hand. Make sure your dominant hand starts by resting on your flat non-dominant hand before lifting into the claw shape.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Rawr" in a Sentence
1

The dinosaur went rawr!

Sign 'dinosaur' followed by the sign for 'rawr,' making sure to use a big, expressive facial expression to show the dinosaur's roar.

2

My little brother loves to say rawr.

Use this sign when describing your brother's playful roaring, keeping the movement light and fun to match the context.

3

The lion let out a loud rawr.

Sign 'lion' and then use a strong, forceful movement for 'rawr' to convey the loudness and power of the animal.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as the sign for monster?

While similar in the use of clawed hands, 'monster' typically uses both hands raised near the face. This sign for 'rawr' specifically uses a base hand and an upward motion.

Do I need to mouth the word 'rawr'?

Mouthing 'rawr' or making a roaring facial expression adds great context and makes the sign much more expressive and clear.

Can I use this sign for 'roar'?

Yes, this sign can be used to represent the action or sound of an animal roaring, such as a lion, bear, or dinosaur.

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