How to sign “Question” in BSL

Everyday Life

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

Step by step

  1. Pinch your dominant thumb and index finger into a small circle.
  2. Spread your remaining fingers open behind the pinched thumb-and-index circle.
  3. Hold the hand in front of your chest and draw a question mark in the air.
  4. Trace the hook first, then dot it with a short downward flick.
  5. Raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward, the classic questioning face.

Practice tip

You are literally drawing a '?' in the air — hook, then dot.

Fingerspell “Question”

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 QBSL two-handed handshape for letter UBSL two-handed handshape for letter EBSL two-handed handshape for letter SBSL two-handed handshape for letter TBSL two-handed handshape for letter IBSL two-handed handshape for letter OBSL two-handed handshape for letter N

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