Italian Hand Gestures
Italian Hand Gestures
| toss something behind back | Multi anni fa… | “A long time ago”, “Way back when…” |
| index finger spins forward in circle | Dopo, Ci vediamo dopo | “Later”, “See you later” |
| drill finger into cheek | Buono, Bello, Delizioso | “Good!”, “Beautiful!”, “Delicious!” |
| kiss fingertips and toss away | Al Bacio, Benissimo, Bellissimo | “Wonderful!” |
| pinch fingers, draw straight line | Perfetto | “Perfect!” |
| hands together in prayer | Per favore, Ti prego, Ma va, Mamma mia! | Asking for something “Please,” “I beg you”, “Come on”…or just expressing frustration/emotion “Good Lord!” (see Italian Voices column for more things that “Mamma mia” can mean) |
| side of index fingers tapping together | Sono vicini, Se l’intendono, Sono d’accordo | That two things or people are close/nearby, and possibly literally or figuratively in bed with each other. “There’s something going on with those two”, “They understand each other” etc. |
| “time out” with side of hand | Andiamo via, Smamma, Vattene | Leaving; could be either person or both: “I’m leaving,” “Go away” or “Let’s go” |
| straight hand taps stomach | Ho fame | “I’m hungry” |
| make pistol with thumb/index finger, rotate | Guasto, Non posso, E finito, Non c’è, Non se ne fa nulla, Non lo so, Mi dispiace | “It’s broken”, “Sorry, I can’t help you”, “There isn’t any more”, “Nothing can be done”, “I don’t know” |
| tug lower eyelid | Fa attenzione, (Che) furbo, Intesa | “Watch out”, “That guy is sneaky”, “What a smart alleck” |
| turn large imaginary knob | Rubare | “(Someone is trying) to steal” |
| upturned hand, pinch fingertips together | Pieno | “Full”, “Crowded” |
| stirring imaginary bowl with fingertips* | Segreto, Marachella | “Something secret/illicit is going on”, “What witches’ brew are they stirring?”, “Let’s slip away to somewhere private” |
| thumb slices down cheek* | Intelligente, Bravo/a/e/i | “That guy/gal is really sharp”, “I like that/him/her” |
| chin flick* | Non me fa niente, Non m’importa, Me ne frego | “Who cares?”, “I don’t give a damn”, if done violently could be “I don’t give a f—” (also in Naples can mean a forceful “No”) |
| index finger/hand taps head* | Pazzo, Matto, Toccato, Svitatto | “You/he/she is crazy!” |
| thumping downturned hand on chest* | Che peso, Mi sta qua |
“I can’t stand him/her”, “I can’t take any more of this” |
| shake hands up and down, fingertips together, at chest/waist level (* to ***) | Ma cosa vuol dire, Non ci credo, Per che? |
“I don’t agree”, “I don’t believe it”, “What am I supposed to do?” The lower it is, the more offensive–e.g. done at your crotch it is a bit like “Why are you busting my f—ing balls?” |
| fingertips together and wagged towards face (* to ***) | Che (cazzo***) vuoi? |
Depending on how violently you shake your hands, this could be from a relatively polite, “What did you say?” to a very rude “What the f— do you want?”. If fingers are upturned (not towards face), it is just a way of showing emphasis. |
| hands cup imaginary balls** | Che palle (Neapolitan: Che guallera*** [sounds like “wallera”]) | “How boring!” |
| UT hook ’em horns*** | Cornuto (“fa la corna”) |
“Screw you!” (Literally: You have been cuckolded–i.e. your spouse is cheating on you.) |
| one arm strikes the inside elbow, other arm goes up*** | Tie!, Vaffanculo! | “F— you!” (European version of the middle finger–which is also used.) |
| honking horn with palm*** | Si tromba? / Vuoi scopare? | “Want to f—?” (Literally, “blow the trumpet” / “sweep”) |
| flick ear*** | Gay | “You’re gay/lesbian” |
| both hands out, forming a box with index fingers & thumbs*** [watch Tony Soprano doing it] | Ti faccio un…(culo così) | “I’ll kick your a–” (Literally, “I will make your a–hole this big”) |
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