Learn Italian gestures
Italians use body language and hand gestures to punctuate an expression.
| “Vieni” “Come here”How to do it: arm out, hand, palm down, moving 90 degrees continuously from horizontal to vertical. |
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| “Capisci?” |
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| “Perfetto” “That’s perfect” How to do it: finger and thumb of both hands almost touching at chest level then breaking away horizontally to form an invisible straight line (one motion). |
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| “Tempo fa” “A long time ago” How to do it: open hand above shoulder in backwards motion. |
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| “Non se ne fanulla”/”Non lo so” There’s nothing to do about it”/”I don’t know” How to do it: hands in pistol pose with finger and thumb only visible close together at waist level, turning back and forth 90 degrees. |
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| “Ho fame” “I’m hungry” How to do it: open hand cutting repeatedly into side of stomach area |
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| “Ma cosa dici” / “Non ci credo” “What are you saying?”/ “I don’t believe it” How to do it: Hands pressed together in prayer form, going up and down/rocking motion in front of body. |
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| “Di lusso” “It’s expensive” How to do it: index finger and thumb rubbed together continuously in front of body. |
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| “Stai attento” “Pay attention” How to do it: Index finger placed under the eye with very slight motion downwards opening up the eye. |
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| “Ma chi se nefrega” “I don’t care” (Beware: can be considered rude) How to do it: Back of open hand placed under chin and then flicking chin with the fingertips in an outward motion. |
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| “Buono” “Delicious” How to do it: index finger pressed into cheek inswivelling motion back and forth |
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| “Ma cosa dici?!” “What are you talking about?!” How to do it: fingers and thumb come together with hand shaken up and down around chest level (arm can also move, according to intensity of discussion) |
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“Vado” |
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| “Scordatelo” “Forget about it” How to do it: hand out to side of (not touching) head in waving/beckoning towards position with fingers moving slightly towards you. |
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| “Seifuori/pazzo?!” “Are you mad?!” How to do it: index finger pressed repeatedly to the side of the forehead. |
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| Per fare i punti diun discorso . .. Dividing up a sentence – firstly, secondly … How to do it: one flat hand, other one hits it in a “cutting” motion |
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| Spiegazione Explaining something How to do it: hands in a rolling movement |
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| “Boh” “I don’t know/I can’t help” How to do it: hands open (palm upwards) at sides of body (chest level) |
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