Daily focus
Archive Replay
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Sign of the Day
maybe
The BSL sign for 'maybe' uses a flat hand (fingers together, thumb tucked) positioned at the chest. The hand rocks gently side to side, often accompanied by a slight shrug and raised eyebrows to convey uncertainty
A1 Very Common Adverb 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.
Flat hand, fingers together, thumb tucked
Hand rocks gently side to side
Expressing uncertainty, possibility, or agreement with reservations
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 flat hand, fingers together, thumb tucked
- Place hand at front of chest, palm facing signer
- Gently rock hand side to side repeatedly
- Accompany with a slight shrug and raised eyebrows
Coach prompt
Practice the flat handshape, keeping fingers together and thumb tucked. Focus on the gentle, repeated rocking motion at the chest. Incorporate a slight shrug
Signature details
Handshape
Flat hand, fingers together, thumb tucked · Code B-hand
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
N/A
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palm faces signer or slightly down
Eyebrows
Raised
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Mm-mm
Body shift
Slight shoulder shrug
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.
Maybe I will go tomorrow
Often paired with a shrug or facial expression of doubt
Best fit: Expressing uncertainty, possibility, or agreement with reservations
Mirror focus
Practice the flat handshape, keeping fingers together and thumb tucked. Focus on the gentle, repeated rocking motion at the chest. Incorporate a slight shrug
Catch the slip
Ensure your thumb is tucked, not extended. The rocking should be gentle, not a vigorous shake. Remember the non-manual features like raised eyebrows
Use it today
Maybe I will go tomorrow
Common mistakes: Incorrect handshape, insufficient rocking, missing NMM
When not to use it: When certainty or a definitive answer is required
Regional note: Minor variations in rocking extent, but core sign consistent
Cultural note: Direct expression of uncertainty is common in BSL
1.[en] Maybe I'll go. / BSL:[Sign MAYBE, then GO]
2.[en] Maybe it's true. / BSL:[Sign MAYBE, then TRUE]
3.[en] Maybe later. / BSL:[Sign MAYBE, then LATER]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for maybe?
Learners use 'maybe' to express uncertainty, possibility, or hesitation. It's useful when answering a question that isn't a definite yes or no, or to suggest an alternative.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing maybe in BSL?
Common mistakes include incorrect handshape (not tucking the thumb or separating fingers), insufficient or exaggerated rocking movement, and forgetting accompanying non-manual features like a slight shrug or raised eyebrows, which are crucial for conveying uncertainty.
Does the BSL sign for maybe change by region or context?
The core sign for 'maybe' is largely consistent across BSL regions. Minor variations might occur in the amplitude of the rocking movement or the specific non-manual features used, but the overall form is widely understood.
Is the BSL sign for maybe suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, 'maybe' is a fundamental and frequently used sign, making it very suitable for beginners and children. Its simple handshape and clear movement make it easy to learn and recognise early in language acquisition.
Which sign is most often confused with maybe in BSL?
'Maybe' is sometimes confused with signs for 'I don't know' or 'uncertain.' While semantically related, 'I don't know' typically involves a flat hand moving away from the head, whereas 'maybe' is a gentle rocking motion at the chest.
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
Possibly
Perhaps
Unsure
Could be
Definitely
Certainly
Sure
Uncertain
Possible
Could
Doubt
I don't know
Uncertain
Perhaps
Possible
Definitely
The sign for 'maybe' (flat hand, chest, rocks gently side-to-side) indicates possibility. This differs from 'I don't know' (flat hand, moves away from forehead, palm outwards) which expresses lack of knowledge. 'Uncertain/Unsure' often shares similarities with 'I don't know' but might include a questioning NMM. The key distinction for 'maybe' is its specific gentle rocking motion at the chest
Uncertainty
Possibility
Indecision
BSL maybe
unsure BSL
possible sign
perhaps BSL
uncertainty
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.