How to Sign "Smell"
To sign “Smell”, Using your dominant hand into a “b” handshape and fingertips on your nose. Then brush your nose with your dominant hand upward that is similar what you smell something from somewhere.
Examples Using "Smell" in a Sentence
1
I smell coffee.
Point to yourself to sign 'I', sign 'smell' by brushing your flat 'B' hand upward on your nose, and then sign 'coffee' by making two fists and grinding the top one in a circular motion.
2
That smells good!
Sign 'smell' with the upward brushing motion on your nose, then sign 'good' by moving your flat hand from your chin down to your other hand. Be sure to use a pleasant, happy facial expression to emphasize the meaning!
3
Do you smell smoke?
Point to the person you are asking, sign 'smell' using the 'B' handshape brushing up on your nose, sign 'smoke', and raise your eyebrows at the end of the sentence to indicate a yes/no question.
How to Sign "Smell"
To sign “Smell”, Using your dominant hand into a “b” handshape and fingertips on your nose. Then brush your nose with your dominant hand upward that is similar what you smell something from somewhere.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'smell' is highly iconic and visually motivated. The flat 'B' handshape acts as a physical representation of an odor or scent traveling through the air. By placing your fingertips on your nose and brushing upward, you are literally mimicking the universal action of wafting a scent up into your nasal passages to get a better whiff of it.
Signing Tips
To sign 'smell' naturally, keep your fingers together in the 'B' handshape and use a light, gentle touch on your nose. The movement should be a quick, upward brush, mimicking the action of a scent wafting up into your nostrils. Remember to pair this sign with an appropriate facial expression—scrunch your nose slightly if it is a bad smell, or smile and inhale slightly if it is a pleasant aroma.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using a closed fist or a single index finger instead of the flat 'B' handshape. Beginners also sometimes brush downward instead of upward, or they tap the nose repeatedly without the brushing motion. Make sure the movement is a distinct upward sweep, as if you are physically lifting a scent into your nose to smell it better.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Smell" in a Sentence
1I smell coffee.
Point to yourself to sign 'I', sign 'smell' by brushing your flat 'B' hand upward on your nose, and then sign 'coffee' by making two fists and grinding the top one in a circular motion.
2That smells good!
Sign 'smell' with the upward brushing motion on your nose, then sign 'good' by moving your flat hand from your chin down to your other hand. Be sure to use a pleasant, happy facial expression to emphasize the meaning!
3Do you smell smoke?
Point to the person you are asking, sign 'smell' using the 'B' handshape brushing up on your nose, sign 'smoke', and raise your eyebrows at the end of the sentence to indicate a yes/no question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my hand need to actually touch my nose?
Yes, for the standard sign, your fingertips should lightly touch or brush against your nose as you move your hand upward. However, it should be a gentle graze rather than a hard press against your face.
How do I show if something smells good or bad?
In ASL, your facial expression does a lot of the work! If something smells wonderful, smile and look pleased while signing. If it smells terrible, scrunch up your face, wrinkle your nose, and look disgusted.
Is this sign used for both the noun (a smell) and the verb (to smell)?
Yes! You can use this exact same sign whether you are talking about an odor in the room (the noun) or the physical action of sniffing something (the verb). The context of your sentence will make the meaning clear.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!