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.
|
“Capisci?”
“Do you understand?”
How to do it: open fingers and thumb near the ear (not touching) gyrating the wrist.
“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).
“Tempo fa”
“A long time ago”
How to do it: open hand above shoulder in backwards motion.
“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.
“Ho fame”
“I’m hungry”
How to do it: open hand cutting repeatedly into side of stomach area
“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.
“Di lusso”
“It’s expensive”
How to do it: index finger and thumb rubbed together continuously in front of body.
“Stai attento”
“Pay attention”
How to do it: Index finger placed under the eye with very slight motion downwards opening up the eye.
“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.
“Buono”
“Delicious”
How to do it: index finger pressed into cheek inswivelling motion back and forth
“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)
“Vado”
“I’m leaving”
How to do it: vertical right hand moves towards and cuts flat left hand.
“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.
“Seifuori/pazzo?!”
“Are you mad?!”
How to do it: index finger pressed repeatedly to the side of the forehead.
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
Spiegazione
Explaining something
How to do it: hands in a rolling movement
“Boh”
“I don’t know/I can’t help”
How to do it: hands open (palm upwards) at sides of body (chest level)