How to sign “Cup” in BSL
BSL and ASL are different languages — this is the British sign. See the ASL sign for “Cup” instead
Step by step
- Curve the fingers and thumb of your dominant hand into a C shape.
- Raise the C hand to mouth height, as if holding a cup in your hand.
- Tilt the hand back slightly toward your lips, as if taking a sip.
- Repeat the small tilt once or twice with an easy, even rhythm.
- Mouth the word 'cup' clearly, since coffee shares this sipping motion.
Practice tip
Cup and coffee use the same C-hand sipping motion; your mouth pattern names the one you mean.
Fingerspell “Cup”
Letter by letter with the two-handed BSL alphabet — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.
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.