Daily focus
Archive Replay
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Sign of the Day
afternoon
The BSL sign for "afternoon" depicts the sun's descent, moving from higher in the sky (near the elbow) to lower (waist/hip) as the day progresses
A1 Very Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
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Dominant hand is a flat B-hand, fingers together and straight, thumb alongside
Dominant hand moves downwards and outwards
Everyday conversations, planning events, describing daily routines
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 dominant B-hand, fingers together, thumb alongside
- Place hand near non-dominant elbow/forearm, palm down/back
- Move hand downwards and slightly outwards
- End hand at waist/hip level
Coach prompt
Practice the B-handshape and smooth downward-outward motion
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand is a flat B-hand, fingers together and straight, thumb alongside · Code B-hand
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Near
Palm orientation
Down/Out
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.
We will meet this afternoon
Often combined with other signs for specific times
Best fit: Everyday conversations, planning events, describing daily routines
Mirror focus
Practice the B-handshape and smooth downward-outward motion
Catch the slip
Ensure hand starts higher and moves clearly downwards and away from body
Use it today
We will meet this afternoon
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'lunch' or 'later'; incorrect hand position
When not to use it: When referring to very late evening or night
Regional note: Minor variations in movement path or end location
Cultural note: N/A
1.[en] See you this afternoon / BSL:[SEE YOU THIS AFTERNOON].
2.[en] The meeting is afternoon / BSL:[MEETING AFTERNOON].
3.[en] Every afternoon / BSL:[EVERY AFTERNOON]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for afternoon?
A learner would use this sign to specify the time of day when discussing plans, events, or describing daily routines that occur between noon and evening. It's fundamental for scheduling.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing afternoon in BSL?
Beginners often incorrectly place the starting hand too low or fail to execute the clear downward and outward movement. They might also confuse it with 'lunch' or 'later' if the movement isn't distinct.
Does the BSL sign for afternoon change by region or context?
While the core handshape and movement are consistent, minor regional variations might occur in the exact starting point on the arm or the precise angle of the downward motion. The meaning remains the same.
Is the BSL sign for afternoon suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, it is a very common and straightforward sign, making it highly suitable for beginners and children learning BSL. It's an essential part of basic time vocabulary.
Which sign is most often confused with afternoon in BSL?
The sign for 'lunch' is sometimes confused. 'Lunch' typically involves bringing the dominant hand to the mouth area, whereas 'afternoon' starts higher on the arm and moves down the body.
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Word web
P.M
Morning
Evening
Night
Day
Time
Midday
Lunch
Morning
Evening
Day
Time
Lunch
AFTERNOON vs. MORNING: AFTERNOON starts high on the non-dominant arm and moves down/out. MORNING typically involves the dominant hand moving up from the non-dominant arm/wrist, suggesting the sun's rise. AFTERNOON vs. EVENING: AFTERNOON finishes at waist/hip level. EVENING usually involves the dominant hand moving from high to low across the body, often ending lower than AFTERNOON. AFTERNOON vs. LUNCH: AFTERNOON uses a flat B-hand moving down the arm. LUNCH uses a C-hand or O-hand touching the mouth area, signifying eating
Time
Daily routine
Period of day
Afternoon BSL
BSL after
afternoon sign
time BSL
daily routine
Come Back Tomorrow
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