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Sunday, October 12, 2025
Sign of the Day
magnet
The BSL sign for 'magnet' uses two F-handshapes. The dominant F-hand moves towards and touches the non-dominant F-hand, mimicking attraction
A2 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Both hands form an F-handshape, thumb and index touch to make a circle
Dominant F-hand moves to meet non-dominant F-hand
When discussing physics, toys, or magnetic materials
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 an F-handshape with both hands
- Thumbs and index fingers touch on each hand
- Place non-dominant F-hand in neutral space
- Move dominant F-hand to meet and touch non-dominant F-hand
Coach prompt
Practice forming F-hands, then bringing them together smoothly
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands form an F-handshape, thumb and index touch to make a circle · Code F
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Touch
Palm orientation
Palms face each other
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 magnet picked up the paperclip
Can be followed by signs like PULL or STICK
Best fit: When discussing physics, toys, or magnetic materials
Mirror focus
Practice forming F-hands, then bringing them together smoothly
Catch the slip
Ensure both hands form clear F-handshapes and make definite contact
Use it today
The magnet picked up the paperclip
Common mistakes: Confusing with signs for 'attract' (social) or 'stick together'
When not to use it: When referring to 'attraction' in a social context; use the specific sign for social attraction
Regional note: Minimal known variation for this sign
Cultural note: Magnets are common in science education and toys
1.[en] I need a magnet. / BSL:[me NEED magnet]
2.[en] Magnets attract metal. / BSL:[magnet ATTRACT metal]
3.[en] This is a strong magnet. / BSL:[THIS strong magnet]
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Word web
Attraction
pull
magnetic force
Repulsion
Electricity
metal
iron
field
Attraction
Metal
Physics
Force
Iron
Pull
STICK (glue): Often uses S-hands or flat hands that join, sometimes with a 'sticking' motion. "Magnet" specifically uses F-hands coming together.
ATTRACT (social): Uses open hands, often B-hands, moving towards the body or each other, with non-manual features to convey social appeal, distinct from the F-hands for physical magnetic pull.
JOIN/CONNECT: Can use C-hands or G-hands linking together, but "magnet" specifically implies an inherent pull with the F-handshapes
Science
physics
object
toy
magnet
magnetic
attraction
BSL
British Sign Language
science
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