How to Sign “Brave” in ASL

The short answer

In American Sign Language, BRAVE is commonly signed with both hands. Start with open, slightly bent hands touching the front of your shoulders or upper chest. Then pull both hands forward and away from your body while closing them into firm fists. The motion suggests drawing strength out from your core.

Many ASL references show the same or a very similar movement for related ideas such as healthy, well and strong in the sense of hearty. Signers tell these meanings apart through context, facial expression and the surrounding sentence, not through a separate hand shape.

Step by step

• 1. Hold both hands open with fingers spread and slightly curved, palms facing your body.
• 2. Place your fingertips near the front of each shoulder or on your upper chest.
• 3. Move both hands forward and slightly outward in one firm motion.
• 4. As your hands move, close them into fists, with the thumbs wrapped across the front of the fingers.
• 5. End with both fists in front of your body, held with some tension.
• 6. Show confidence with your face and posture: a steady gaze and a firm expression support the meaning.

Points that can change the meaning

• Noun or adjective: Brave and courage are usually expressed with this sign. Context shows which one you mean.
• Intensity: A sharper, stronger movement with a more emphatic expression can show very brave. A softer movement looks more neutral.
• The browser or a name: If you mean the Brave web browser or a personal name, signers typically fingerspell it (B-R-A-V-E) unless the group you are with uses an agreed name sign.
• Regional variation: ASL has regional and community differences. Hand placement may sit higher or lower, and the starting hand shape can vary slightly.

Checking your sign on camera

If you practice in front of a webcam or phone, make sure the frame shows your shoulders, upper chest and the space in front of you. BRAVE starts at the body and moves outward, so a tight face-only crop can cut off the start or the end of the sign.

Many video-call apps show your self-view as a mirror image, while other people see you unmirrored. For a two-handed, symmetrical sign like BRAVE, this rarely matters. For one-handed signs, it can be confusing, so check the app's mirroring setting if your practice view looks reversed. Also note that the camera turning on does not guarantee clear signing for others. Good front lighting and a plain, uncluttered physical background make hand shapes easier to read than a busy room or a virtual background effect that may blur moving hands.

Limitations of this guide

This written description follows how the sign is generally taught. No specific dictionary entry, video source or regional survey was provided for this article. Before using the sign in an important setting, confirm it with a video from a reputable ASL dictionary, an ASL instructor or a Deaf signer. They can also tell you which variant is used in your area.