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PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "You Are Mean"

To sign 'you are mean', you use the ASL sign for 'mean' directed at the person. Start with both hands in open, slightly curved shapes near your face, palms facing inward. Bring both hands down and close them into 'A' fists, brushing the knuckles of your dominant fist down past your non-dominant fist. Be sure to furrow your eyebrows and use a scowling facial expression to match the emotion! Since ASL drops 'to be' verbs, you do not need to sign 'are'.

Examples Using "You Are Mean" in a Sentence

1

I don't like it when you are mean.

To sign this, you would point to yourself, sign 'NOT-LIKE', point to the person, and sign 'MEAN'. Focus on a strong negative facial expression when signing 'mean' to emphasize your feelings. The contrast between your natural expression and the scowl for 'mean' makes the sentence clear.

2

You are mean to my friends.

Sign 'MY FRIEND', point to the person, and sign 'MEAN'. In ASL, you establish the topic (your friends) first, then describe the action happening to them. Direct your eye contact firmly at the person you are addressing to make it clear who is being mean.

3

Stop! You are mean!

Sign 'STOP', point to the person, and sign 'MEAN'. The sharp, downward motion of the fists in the sign for 'mean' pairs perfectly with the command to stop. Make sure your body language is assertive and your eyebrows are furrowed to show you are serious.

How to Sign "You Are Mean"
To sign 'you are mean', you use the ASL sign for 'mean' directed at the person. Start with both hands in open, slightly curved shapes near your face, palms facing inward. Bring both hands down and close them into 'A' fists, brushing the knuckles of your dominant fist down past your non-dominant fist. Be sure to furrow your eyebrows and use a scowling facial expression to match the emotion! Since ASL drops 'to be' verbs, you do not need to sign 'are'.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'mean' visually represents the concept of two things clashing, scraping, or grating against each other harshly. The open hands starting near the face and closing into tight fists symbolize a harsh, abrasive personality or an unkind action. The forceful, downward brushing motion of the knuckles rubbing together perfectly captures the friction and negativity associated with someone being cruel or mean. This iconic motivation helps learners remember that the sign embodies a rough, unpleasant interaction rather than a smooth or gentle one.
Signing Tips
When signing 'you are mean', your facial expression is just as important as your hand movements. ASL relies heavily on non-manual markers to convey tone and emotion. A neutral face will confuse the viewer, so make sure to furrow your eyebrows, narrow your eyes, and show a scowl or an upset expression. The downward brushing motion of your fists should be firm, sharp, and deliberate to truly convey the harshness of the word. Keep your movements controlled so your hands end comfortably in front of your chest.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is forgetting to use the appropriate facial expression, which can make the sign look like a random gesture rather than a strong, emotion-based concept. Another frequent error is failing to brush the fists together; your dominant hand must clearly brush down past your non-dominant hand as they both close into 'A' handshapes. Finally, avoid making the sign too large or wide; the movement should be kept relatively compact and close to your body, moving directly from the face down to the chest area.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "You Are Mean" in a Sentence
1

I don't like it when you are mean.

To sign this, you would point to yourself, sign 'NOT-LIKE', point to the person, and sign 'MEAN'. Focus on a strong negative facial expression when signing 'mean' to emphasize your feelings. The contrast between your natural expression and the scowl for 'mean' makes the sentence clear.

2

You are mean to my friends.

Sign 'MY FRIEND', point to the person, and sign 'MEAN'. In ASL, you establish the topic (your friends) first, then describe the action happening to them. Direct your eye contact firmly at the person you are addressing to make it clear who is being mean.

3

Stop! You are mean!

Sign 'STOP', point to the person, and sign 'MEAN'. The sharp, downward motion of the fists in the sign for 'mean' pairs perfectly with the command to stop. Make sure your body language is assertive and your eyebrows are furrowed to show you are serious.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign the word 'are' in this phrase?

No, you do not. American Sign Language does not use 'to be' verbs like 'am,' 'is,' or 'are.' To express 'you are mean,' you simply point to the person to indicate 'you' and then perform the sign for 'mean.' Your eye contact and facial expression naturally tie the concepts together.

Can I use this sign to ask what a word means?

No, this specific sign is strictly used for the adjective 'mean,' as in being cruel, unkind, or nasty. To ask what a word or phrase means, you must use a completely different sign where your dominant 'V' hand taps sideways against the open palm of your non-dominant hand.

Does it matter which hand brushes past the other?

Yes, it does matter. Your dominant hand should always be the one that starts slightly higher and brushes down past your non-dominant hand. Keeping your dominant hand as the primary moving part ensures your signing remains clear, natural, and easy for fluent ASL signers to understand.

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