How to sign “Answer” in BSL

Everyday Basics

BSL and ASL are different languages — this is the British sign. See the ASL sign for “Answer” instead

Step by step

  1. Make a loose fist with your non-dominant hand and point the thumb straight up.
  2. Hold that thumb-up fist steady in front of your chest.
  3. Raise your dominant index finger above the thumb, palm facing inward toward you.
  4. Bring the fingertip straight down to touch the tip of the upright thumb.

Practice tip

Your fingertip lands on the thumb — like pointing at the right answer.

Fingerspell “Answer”

Letter by letter with the two-handed BSL alphabet — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.

BSL two-handed handshape for letter ABSL two-handed handshape for letter NBSL two-handed handshape for letter SBSL two-handed handshape for letter WBSL two-handed handshape for letter EBSL two-handed handshape for letter R

See all BSL handshapes in the alphabet reference

Text-based guide researched from BSL-specific references (BSL SignBank, BDA-adjacent teaching materials and BSL dictionaries) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade. BSL has regional variation — this is the most widely taught form.

Related BSL signs

Browse all 340 BSL signs in the dictionary