Daily focus
Archive Replay
Monday, July 28, 2025
Sign of the Day
padlock
The BSL sign for "padlock" uses a specific handshape and a small, repeated wrist twist near the chest, mimicking the action of locking or the turning mechanism of a padlock
A1 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
The meta fields are doing real work here
This page turns your sign metadata into a fast, readable fingerprint of how the sign looks, feels, and fits into real conversation.
Index finger and thumb form a circle, other fingers curled
Small wrist twist, often repeated
Discussing security, objects, doors, gates
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
Use the numbered steps first, then check the sign anatomy cards to clean up the small details that make the sign look fluent instead of approximate.
How to form the sign
- Form a circle with index finger and thumb, other fingers curled
- Place hand near chest or shoulder area
- Perform a small wrist twisting motion
- Repeat the wrist twist often
Coach prompt
Practice forming the handshape and executing the wrist twist smoothly. Focus on repeating the movement naturally
Signature details
Handshape
Index finger and thumb form a circle, other fingers curled · Code F-hand variant
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Forward/Upward
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
None
Body shift
None
Use It Today
Move from recognition to real-life use
Everything below is designed to make the sign sticky: where it feels natural, what learners miss, and how to use it without sounding robotic.
The padlock is old
Often accompanied by mouthing 'padlock' for clarity
Best fit: Discussing security, objects, doors, gates
Mirror focus
Practice forming the handshape and executing the wrist twist smoothly. Focus on repeating the movement naturally
Catch the slip
Ensure index and thumb form a clear circle. The wrist twist should be small and controlled, not a large arm movement
Use it today
The padlock is old
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'key' or 'lock' if movement isn't precise
When not to use it: N/A
Regional note: Minor variations in exact location or movement speed
Cultural note: None specific to the sign itself
1.[en] Where is the padlock? / BSL:[Sign PADLOCK, then WHERE?]
2.[en] I need a padlock. / BSL:[Sign I NEED, then PADLOCK]
3.[en] The gate has a padlock. / BSL:[Sign GATE, then HAS, then PADLOCK]
Connect the Dots
Turn one sign into a small learning cluster
These links use your relationship fields, related vocabulary, and category context so the daily page becomes a launchpad instead of a dead end.
Word web
Lock
chain-lock
Key (as action)
unlock
Security
key
chain
gate
door
Key
Lock
Chain
Security
Gate
Door
KEY (object): Uses a G-hand (index finger extended) turning at the side of a fist (representing the keyhole). Handshape and movement are distinct. Padlock uses a circular thumb-index handshape, key uses extended index.
LOCK (verb): Often two-handed, dominant hand closes into or over a non-dominant hand, or a G-hand turning. Padlock is one-handed, focused on the object's turning mechanism, not the action of securing
Security
object
household
tool
Padlock BSL
sign for padlock
BSL lock
Household
Tool
Come Back Tomorrow
Build a rhythm around one sign a day
The archive rail lets people revisit recent daily picks, while the teaser card gives a reason to return instead of drifting away after one lesson.
Video credit: The demonstration video on this page is credited to SpreadTheSign. The video remains the property of the original rightholder.
All written explanations, learning notes, examples, comparisons, and page design on this page are SignDeaf educational material.