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Friday, March 20, 2026
Sign of the Day
hot
Describes a high temperature. Form an open 5-hand near mouth/chin, then move it quickly outward. Non-manuals like puffed cheeks enhance the meaning
A1 Very Common Adjective British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Open 5-hand, fingers spread, thumb slightly bent
Quick outward movement from mouth/chin
Describing temperature of objects, weather, food, or feelings
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 open 5-hand, fingers spread, thumb slightly bent
- Place hand near mouth/chin, palm forward/outward
- Move hand quickly forward and slightly outward
- Use puffed cheeks for emphasis
Coach prompt
Sign 'hot' in different contexts: weather, food, object. Practice with non-manuals for intensity
Signature details
Handshape
Open 5-hand, fingers spread, thumb slightly bent · Code S5
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Near
Palm orientation
Palm generally faces forward/outward
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
'Pah' or 'ch' sound shape
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 tea is hot. The weather is hot
Can be modified by non-manuals to show intensity (e.g., 'very hot')
Best fit: Describing temperature of objects, weather, food, or feelings
Mirror focus
Sign 'hot' in different contexts: weather, food, object. Practice with non-manuals for intensity
Catch the slip
Check handshape (open 5, spread fingers). Ensure quick, clear outward movement from mouth/chin. Add puffed cheeks for emphasis
Use it today
The tea is hot. The weather is hot
Common mistakes: Incorrect handshape; omitting non-manuals for intensity
When not to use it: When referring to 'hot' as attractive (different sign)
Regional note: Minor variations in starting point or trajectory, but core elements remain
Cultural note: Emphasises the physical sensation of heat
1.[en] The tea is hot. / BSL:[tea / hot]
2.[en] It's very hot today. / BSL:[today / hot / (exaggerated NMM)]
3.[en] Don't touch, it's hot! / BSL:[don't-touch / hot]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for hot?
To describe high temperatures of objects, food, drinks, or the weather. It's a fundamental descriptive adjective for various situations.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing hot in BSL?
Common errors include an incorrect handshape (e.g., closed 5-hand), wrong palm orientation, or insufficient non-manual markers like puffed cheeks for intensity.
Does the BSL sign for hot change by region or context?
While the core sign is widely understood across the UK, there might be slight regional variations in the precise starting point or trajectory. The meaning remains consistent.
Is the BSL sign for hot suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, it is a very common and basic sign, making it highly suitable for beginners and children learning BSL, often taught early in their vocabulary.
Which sign is most often confused with hot in BSL?
It can sometimes be confused with signs like 'sweat' (similar location, different movement/handshape) or 'warm' (often gentler movement, less NMM).
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Word web
Warm
boiling
scorching
fiery
Cold
cool
freezing
Temperature
weather
summer
burning
Cold
Warm
Summer
Temperature
Weather
The sign for 'hot' (quick outward motion from mouth) differs from 'warm' (gentler, often circular motion or a slight rub on the back of the hand) which indicates a moderate temperature. It also differs from 'sweat' (often a 1-hand or C-hand brushing the brow), which describes perspiration, not the temperature itself, despite similar location
Temperature
weather
food
feeling
warm
summer
burning
Food
temperature
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