Archive Replay Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Sign of the Day

learn

The BSL sign for "learn" uses two hands. The dominant hand, in a '5' shape, starts on the non-dominant palm and moves up to touch the head. This path symbolises knowledge moving into the mind

A1 Very Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Daily focus

Today’s meaning

To acquire knowledge, skill, or understanding

Source
Today’s Snapshot

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Level A1
Frequency Very Common
Class Verb
Hand count Two-handed
Movement Linear
Location Non-dominant hand, then dominant touches temple/forehead
Face & eyes Often a thoughtful or focused facial expression
Language British Sign Language (BSL) · UK
Shape cue

Dominant hand in a '5' handshape, palm towards signer. Non-dominant hand flat 'B' hand, palm up

Motion cue

Dominant hand moves from non-dominant palm to head

Meaning cue

Discussing education, acquiring skills, gaining understanding, or studying

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

  1. Form flat B-hand (non-dominant) palm up
  2. Form 5-hand (dominant) palm towards signer
  3. Place dominant 5-hand on non-dominant palm
  4. Move dominant 5-hand upwards to touch temple/forehead
Coach prompt

Practice signing 'learn' in sentences like 'I learn new things every day' or 'It's fun to learn BSL'

Signature details

Handshape Dominant hand in a '5' handshape, palm towards signer. Non-dominant hand flat 'B' hand, palm up · Code Dominant: BSL 5; Non-dominant: BSL B
Dominant hand Either
Symmetry Asymmetric
Contact Touch
Palm orientation Dominant: palm towards signer; Non-dominant: palm up
Eyebrows Neutral
Eye gaze Forward
Head movement None
Mouth morpheme páh
Body shift None
Use It Today

Move from recognition to real-life use

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Natural example
I want to learn British Sign Language

Implies a process of information or skill acquisition. Can be inflected for duration

Best fit: Discussing education, acquiring skills, gaining understanding, or studying

Daily drills
Mirror focus

Practice signing 'learn' in sentences like 'I learn new things every day' or 'It's fun to learn BSL'

Catch the slip

Ensure the dominant hand makes contact with the non-dominant palm before moving to the head, maintaining a clear '5' handshape

Use it today

I want to learn British Sign Language

Watch-outs

Common mistakes: Confusing with 'know' or incorrect handshape/movement path

When not to use it: When specifically meaning 'teach' or 'educate' others

Regional note: Minor variations in the exact contact point on the head

Cultural note: Learning is highly valued in Deaf culture, reflecting a history of advocating for accessible education

Practice line

1.[en] I want to learn BSL. / BSL:[WANT LEARN BSL]

Practice line

2.[en] She learns quickly. / BSL:[SHE LEARN FAST]

Practice line

3.[en] What did you learn? / BSL:[WHAT YOU LEARN QUESTION]

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Word web

study acquire grasp understand forget unlearn knowledge education student skill teach knowledge student understand practice

KNOW: Single tap of dominant 'B' or '5' hand to temple/forehead. No initial contact with the other hand. "LEARN" involves movement from non-dominant hand to head, signifying knowledge entering. "KNOW" signifies knowledge already possessed. UNDERSTAND: Dominant 'S' or 'A' handshape, flicking open to '5' at the temple. "LEARN" is about the process of gaining knowledge, "UNDERSTAND" is about comprehension. STUDY: Often a repetitive or circular movement of dominant 'B' or '5' hand over non-dominant palm, sometimes moving towards the head. While semantically similar, "LEARN" focuses on the acquisition, "STUDY" on the effort

Education knowledge study skill comprehension learn learning acquire study BSL
student BSL sign A1
student

A person engaged in formal learning or study
study BSL sign A1
study

To acquire knowledge or skills through learning
ask BSL sign A1
ask

To request information, permission, or clarification
forget BSL sign A1
forget

To lose memory of something; fail to recall
interest BSL sign A2
interest

To attract or hold attention; to engage curiosity
take BSL sign A1
take

To grasp and move an object from one place to another
Come Back Tomorrow

Build a rhythm around one sign a day

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Today learn A1 Mon listen A1 Sun hunger A1 Sat week A1 Fri scaffold staging B1 Thu natural ventilation B1 Wed tall cupboard A2
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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.

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