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Friday, May 1, 2026
Sign of the Day
like
Sign for 'like' (verb) uses a flat hand moving from chest outward
A1 Very Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
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Dominant hand forms a flat hand (B-handshape)
Hand moves outward from chest with slight arc
Expressing preference, enjoyment, agreement
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 B-handshape (flat hand)
- Place palm facing non-dominant side at chest
- Move hand outward in a slight arc
- Finish with palm slightly up or forward
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'I like X' with different objects
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand forms a flat hand (B-handshape) · Code B
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palm often faces towards non-dominant side or slightly up
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Neutral
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.
I like chocolate. / ME LIKE CHOCOLATE
Often accompanied by a positive facial expression
Best fit: Expressing preference, enjoyment, agreement
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'I like X' with different objects
Catch the slip
Ensure hand is flat, movement outward from chest, not upward
Use it today
I like chocolate. / ME LIKE CHOCOLATE
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'want' or 'favourite'
When not to use it: When expressing literal similarity (e.g., 'like a bird')
Regional note: Generally consistent across UK, minor stylistic differences
Cultural note: Direct expression of preference is valued
1.[en] I like it. / BSL:[ME LIKE IT]
2.[en] Do you like coffee? / BSL:[YOU LIKE COFFEE QUESTION]
3.[en] She likes reading. / BSL:[SHE LIKE READ]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for like?
To express fondness, preference, or enjoyment for something or someone. For example, 'I like pizza' or 'I like that person'.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing like in BSL?
Common mistakes include confusing it with 'want' (which uses a C-hand) or 'favourite' (which taps the chin). Ensure the B-handshape and outward chest movement.
Does the BSL sign for like change by region or context?
The core sign for 'like' (verb) is largely consistent across the UK. Minor stylistic variations may occur, but the fundamental handshape and movement remain the same.
Is the BSL sign for like suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, it is a very common and simple sign, making it excellent for beginners and children. It's often one of the first verbs learned in BSL.
Which sign is most often confused with like in BSL?
The sign for 'want' (C-hand pulling towards chest) is frequently confused due to semantic closeness. Also 'favourite' (B-hand tapping chin) shares the B-handshape.
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Word web
Enjoy
prefer
appreciate
fancy
Dislike
hate
detest
Love
favourite
good
Want
Love
Good
Dislike
Favourite
LIKE (verb) uses a flat B-hand moving out from the chest. WANT uses a C-hand pulling towards the chest. FAVOURITE uses a B-hand tapping the chin. GOOD uses a B-hand starting at chin, moving to non-dominant palm. The key is distinguishing handshape and exact movement/location
Preference
emotion
agreement
opinion
Like BSL
prefer
enjoy
fancy
approve
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