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Archive Replay
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Sign of the Day
lend
The BSL sign for 'lend' is directional, originating near the body and moving outwards, signifying an item being given away temporarily, expecting return
A2 Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Fingers and thumb curled into a flat 'O' shape, opening to an open '5-hand'
Linear outward movement, hand opens
Giving items temporarily, sharing resources
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
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How to form the sign
- Form flat 'O' handshape near dominant shoulder/chest
- Palm faces signer
- Move hand forward linearly, opening to a '5-hand'
- Palm rotates to face forward/down
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'lend' while thinking of different objects
Signature details
Handshape
Fingers and thumb curled into a flat 'O' shape, opening to an open '5-hand' · Code Flat-O to 5-hand
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
N/A
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palm starts facing signer, rotates to face forward/down
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
At referent
Head movement
Nod (yes)
Mouth morpheme
Pah
Body shift
Slight forward lean
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.
Can you lend me a pen?
Directional sign, can show who lends to whom
Best fit: Giving items temporarily, sharing resources
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'lend' while thinking of different objects
Catch the slip
Ensure hand opens fully and movement is outward from body
Use it today
Can you lend me a pen?
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'give' or 'borrow'
When not to use it: When the item is not expected back
Regional note: Minor variations in hand opening
Cultural note: Emphasises reciprocal action and trust
1.[en] Can you lend me your book? / BSL:[Sign LEND, then BOOK, pointing to self]
2.[en] I will lend you money. / BSL:[Sign ME LEND YOU MONEY]
3.[en] He lent her his car. / BSL:[Sign HE LEND HER CAR]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for lend?
A learner would use 'lend' when offering something temporarily, like a pen or a book, to another person, with the expectation that it will be returned later.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing lend in BSL?
Beginners often confuse 'lend' with 'give' or 'borrow'. The key is the directionality: 'lend' moves away from the signer, implying giving out, whereas 'borrow' moves towards the signer.
Does the BSL sign for lend change by region or context?
While the core handshape and movement for 'lend' are generally consistent across UK regions, minor variations in the exact starting position or the extent of hand opening can occur. The fundamental meaning remains the same.
Is the BSL sign for lend suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, the BSL sign for 'lend' is suitable for beginners and children. It's a common, basic verb with a clear, iconic movement, making it relatively easy to learn and incorporate into early vocabulary.
Which sign is most often confused with lend in BSL?
The sign for 'borrow' is most often confused with 'lend'. Both signs use similar handshapes but have opposite movements: 'lend' moves away from the signer, and 'borrow' moves towards the signer.
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Word web
Loan
provide temporarily
Borrow
take
keep
Borrow
owe
return
Borrow
give
return
money
book
GIVE: 'Give' uses a similar outward movement but typically starts with a flattened 'B' or '5-hand' and doesn't always imply return. 'Lend' specifically means temporary giving with expectation of return, starting with a more closed hand.
BORROW: 'Borrow' is the opposite; it uses a similar handshape but the movement is inwards towards the body, signifying taking something temporarily from someone.
OFFER: 'Offer' also moves outwards but often uses a 'flat O' handshape opening to a 'flat B' or '5-hand' with palm up, presenting something. 'Lend' is more about the temporary transaction
Transaction
sharing
temporary
lend
loan
give temporarily
BSL verb
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