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Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Sign of the Day
big
The BSL sign for 'big' is an iconic, two-handed sign. It starts with both hands in fists at the chest, then moves them outwards, opening to 5-hands, simulating expansion and size
A1 Very Common Adjective British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Both hands start as fists, then open into 5-hands
Hands move outwards from body, expanding
Describing size of objects, people, or concepts
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 fists, palms facing each other
- Place fists at chest level
- Move hands outwards, opening to 5-hands
- Emphasize size with facial expression
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'big' while describing various objects around you, varying the size of the movement for emphasis
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands start as fists, then open into 5-hands · Code Fist-to-5
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palms face each other, then forward/outward
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Ch-morpheme or puffed cheeks
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 house is big
Movement size and speed can be modified to show degree
Best fit: Describing size of objects, people, or concepts
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'big' while describing various objects around you, varying the size of the movement for emphasis
Catch the slip
Ensure hands open fully into 5-hands and move clearly outwards. Avoid 'wide' by keeping initial position central
Use it today
The house is big
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'wide' or 'many'
When not to use it: When referring to 'important' if a specific BSL sign exists
Regional note: Some slight variations in initial hand position
Cultural note: Size descriptions are often visual and iconic in BSL
1.[en] The dog is big. / BSL:[Sign DOG, then BIG]
2.[en] This is a big problem. / BSL:[Sign THIS, PROBLEM, then BIG]
3.[en] How big is it? / BSL:[Sign HOW, BIG, then IT/QUESTION FACE]
What is the BSL sign for big?
It's a two-handed sign where fists at the chest move outwards, opening into 5-hands, conveying expansion.
How do you sign big in BSL?
Start with both hands as fists at your chest, palms facing each other. Move them outwards, opening your fingers to 5-hands, as if showing something expanding.
Is big one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
The sign for 'big' in BSL is typically a two-handed sign, using both hands symmetrically to show the concept of expansion and size.
What handshape is used for big in BSL?
The sign starts with both hands in a fist handshape (S-hand or A-hand) and transitions to an open 5-handshape as the hands move outwards.
How does big differ from similar signs in BSL?
It differs from 'wide' (hands move sideways without opening) and 'many' (often repeated open 5-hands upwards). 'Big' specifically emphasizes overall volume or scale through its outward, expanding motion.
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Word web
Large
Huge
Enormous
Small
Little
Tiny
Size
Magnitude
Expansive
Large
Small
Huge
Enormous
Size
Tall
WIDE: Uses 5-hands (or B-hands) from the start, moving horizontally sideways to indicate breadth, not necessarily overall volume. MANY: Often involves repeated upward movements of open 5-hands, focusing on quantity rather than physical dimension. TALL: Uses one hand, typically an index finger, moving upwards from a base, focusing on height
Size
Measurement
Quantity
Large
Huge
Enormous
Spacious
Extensive
size
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