Italian hand gestures: a form of communication
Italian hand gestures are a fascinating aspect of the Italian language.
Italy is known all over the world for a lot of things, for example:
- Good food
- Beautiful places
- Awesome historic cities
- Art and design
- Cars and motorbikes and…
- Noisy and gesticulating people!
No matter what you have heard, let an expert tell you the truth: yes, we Italians are very noisy, and we gesticulate a lot!
I know for sure that this feature characterizes and distinguishes us all over the world, and often people from other countries find it very funny!
Italian hand gestures: a distinctive trait of the Italian culture
One of the most identifiable characteristics of Italian, setting it apart in the world of languages, is its unique use of hand gestures.
Everyone recognizes this distinctive trait of the Italian culture, even if our use of gesticulation is typically reduced to a simplified folk stereotype.
My journey across continents has allowed me to understand how we Italians are seen by other cultures, which led to a profound self-analysis of our ability to communicate.
As you might expect, there was also a real exchange of cultures during the trip — as I provided useful information about Italian to others, I learned how body language is used in other cultures, ultimately giving me a deeper understanding of different customs and traditions.
The biggest misconception about Italian gestures is that they illustrate words like charades, but most are actually abstracted code.
Exaggerating gestures is also a way to memorize new words.
Italians and hand gestures
We Italians like to say that a gesture is worth a thousand words.
In other words, an Italian hand gesture is worth a thousand Italian words.
Surprisingly, we don’t actually have a gesture that says that, but we do for almost everything else.
When it comes to body language, we rule.
As we talk, our hands fly in the air making unmistakable signs, and our faces twist into funny expressions.
These make up a dictionary all of their own, albeit one that’s frequently rude and, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear, slightly obsessed with testicles.
Italians, with their innate passion for communicating, have never let words get in the way. Italian hands are rarely still.
In Italy, the shrug of a shoulder, the flip of a wrist, or the lift of an eyebrow says more than a sacco di parole (sack of words).
Body language in Italy is the most important part of making your point.
Hand gestures are to Italian conversation what punctuation is to writing. Hands become exclamation points, periods, commas, and question marks.
Italian gestures are a huge part of what makes an Italian, well, an Italian!
Even before the law banned talking on cell phones while driving, Italians would pull over to the side of the road because they couldn’t drive and carry on a conversation.
In the old days of telephone booths, Italians would step outside so they would have space to express themselves fully.
Whether you realize it or not, you are already somewhat fluent in Italian body language.
Gestures used in other countries — such as holding up an index finger to speak or interrupt, putting a finger to the lips to request silence, or scratching one’s head when befuddled — translate precisely into wordless Italian.
And you can always improvise. If something smells bad, you don’t have to say “che puzza!” Simply pinch your nose.
If you’re hungry, pat your stomach. Easily explained. If you can’t hear what someone is saying, cup your ear.
Why do Italians use so many hand gestures?
Italian psychologist Prof. Isabella Poggi says that there are more than 250 different gestures in Italian chatting! That’s a lot of shaking hands!
In this study, several theories are taken into account to explain our propensity for hand gestures.
Some others even say that in overpopulated cities like Naples, gesture has become a “marketing factor”.
I have a different theory to add to the list, and it’s about dialect: every Italian can confirm the countless amount of dialects in this country.
Even for an Italian, sometimes it’s really difficult to understand someone (like an elderly) who still speaks a dialect.
Because of that, I think that we’ve embraced hand gestures a long time ago (and yes, they are indissoluble parts of our culture) to help ourselves to understand each other when every relationship was made by people and face-to-face.
You, too, can pull out an Italian hand gesture next time you don’t understand.
Italian hand gestures and facial expressions
Gestures partly come from the Italian love for dramatic and theatrical representations.
But they also partly originate from a long history of Italy being invaded by many other countries that imposed their languages, cultures, and mannerisms.
This meant there were language barriers, so people had to come up with other ways of communicating.
But before we start:
Remember that gesticulating isn’t just about the hands; it’s also about facial expressions and posture.
So, stretch out your neck and shoulders, open your eyes, warm up your eyebrows, and get ready to move your hands like never before!
Note that to fully understand the meaning of an Italian hand gesture, you always need to pay attention to the face!
31 Italian Hand gestures |
In this video of Italian hand gestures, I’ll show you 31 common Italian hand gestures (yes, that’s me in the video).
Some are nice, some so-so, and some are rude.
The safe ones are shown in the first part of the video.
Is there any familiar gesture in the video that you’ve seen before?
For each Italian hand gesture, you find the explanation below.
16 Popular Italian Hand Gestures Explained
These common Italian hand gestures are generally safe to use.
They’re funny, but not aggressive or rude.
We recommend memorizing them. This way, at least, you’ll be able to recognize them.
Ideally, you should also be able to use them in the appropriate contexts.
For each hand gesture, you’ll first read what it means in Italian and its translation, and then you’ll see a photo of how to do it.
- Italian hand gesture 1
Eccellente!
Excellent!
This is a popular gesture.
Bunch five fingers together and lift them to the same height as the mouth. Then use your hand to touch the lips.
- Italian hand gesture 2
Perfetto!
Perfect!
Sometimes, there can be true poetry behind a gesture, which is the case with the gesture used to communicate “perfetto!” (perfect).
The thumb and index finger form a ring, with the other three fingers fanned out.
The hand is then moved slowly across the chest as though gently dancing, accompanied by a facial expression portraying great satisfaction.
- Italian hand gesture 3
Delizioso!
Delicious!
This Italian hand gesture is mostly used with children.
Put one index finger on the cheek.
- Italian hand gesture 4
Pensa.
Think.
Extend the index finger and point it to one side of the head.
- Italian hand gesture 5
Stai attento.
Watch out.
Using your index finger, tugging at your bottom eyelid.
English meaning: Watch out!
There are Mafia overtones and it can be quite alarming when witnessed for the first time.
To be used carefully, particularly in Sicily.
- Italian hand gesture 6
Furbo!
Clever guy!
You only have to bow your head and pull down a little the skin under your eye, with a crafty smile!
It means that you, the people you are talking to or someone else is clever or has done something cunning and tricky.
It’s not an intelligent or righteous thing, it’s more about doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time.
Clever, isn’t it?
- Italian hand gesture 7
Spaghettata.
Spaghetti.
This is Italian hand gesture doesn’t necessarily refer to spaghetti, but rather having a meal in general.
Index and middle finger imitate a fork picking up spaghetti and turning the elbow downwards.
- Italian hand gesture 8
Da così a così.
Dramatic change.
The “From Riches to Rags” gesture.
Place your hand with your palm facing downwards; then, as you speak and reach the subject of the conversation, flip your hand over so that your palm is now facing upwards.
When you want to show how a situation or person has drastically changed.
- Italian hand gesture 9
Che ci vuoi fare?
It can’t be helped.
Some things are just the way they are. Embrace them!
- Italian hand gesture 10
Andiamo.
Let’s leave.
With the palm facing inwards, flatten your fingers except for your thumb, then after that, shake your hand in an up and down movement by several times.
Even if you can think it’s rude to go away with a gesture, here it’s normal and it’s not considered rude at all (if you are speaking to a friend).
- Italian hand gesture 11
Ma guarda te!
Look at that!
Very simple gesture: completely open hand (even the thumb) and outstretched arm pointing to the topic of the discussion.
Even if it’s not a facepalm, the meaning is exactly the same:
“Oh my god, look at that stupid idiot…”
or
“Oh my god, what the *** is he doing?” (not with wonder)
…always with an exasperated tone.
It’s often accompanied by a long sigh and the other hand leaning against the side.
- Italian hand gesture 12
Non c’è niente.
Nothing left.
This hand gesture is a bit special. We use it in different contexts and can mean different things. In general, it just means “no”.
Some gestures are expressions of precise concepts that can be used to effectively replace speech.
You have to make a “gun” gesture and rotate the wrist, paired with a sorrowful and dramatic facial expression.
With a shape similar to a gun and a circular movement on the index finger axis, this widely used gesture indicates that something is finished.
For example: “Honey, where is my spaghetti?”
Reply: “Sorry, I think they are finished.”
It’s also used to say that you don’t have something.
“Can I borrow your pen?”
“Sorry, I don’t have any pen.”
- Italian hand gesture 13
Paura?
Scared?
Gestures don’t only express concepts — they can also be used to describe states of mind.
For example, to ask if someone is feeling scared, it’s enough to simply turn your palms facing upwards and open and close all five fingers at the same time, as if to form an artichoke with the hand.
This Italian hand gesture is made by closing and opening quickly all the fingers like you are pinching something.
It’s used to ask with mockery if you are scared of a particular situation.
The meaning is that you are saying to your speaker that is a coward.
This gesture was made famous and widely used in our country by Carlo Lucarelli, a popular Italian tv host of crime and investigative programs.
During an episode of Blu Notte – Misteri Italiani (that tv show), he made this Italian hand gesture to underline a scary situation with an extremely serious face, but it resulted in an unintended funny scene, which was used by Italian comedian Fabio de Luigi to identify the character of Lucarelli.
- Italian hand gesture 14
rubare
to steal
I don’t know why, but for me, the Italian hand gesture signifying “stealing” is very creative.
The four fingers (not including the thumb) are moved together harmoniously in the air as if they were playing a virtual piano, while the person winks like they’re doing something they’re not supposed to be doing.
When you think something not quite right is going on; for example, if you think that someone is trying to trick you.
Spread your cheekbones as if you were forcing a smile, and stretch your lips so that they are almost non-visible. Aumm, aumm…
What’s important here is the perfect synchrony between the movement of the hand and the pronunciation of aumm, aumm.
When a situation is a bit too shady, or even illegal. Raise both your eyebrows as if you know what is actually going on.
- Italian hand gesture 15
Non mi far parlare!
God, shut my mouth!
When something really, really exasperates you, the “God, shut my mouth” gesture is perfect.
Hands open like in a prayer, and a bite on your lips, with your eyes to the sky.
A very evocative Italian hand gesture often used with a strong groan of disapproval.
As the title explains, it’s used when something (or more easily someone) brings you to the point of no return, when you are literally FULL of a situation and can’t stand anything more.
The bite on the lips indicates that you are trying to take some “bad words” inside of you.
And the hands pray the Lord for some help.
Everything with an Italian hand gesture.
When we want to refrain from saying something that we’ll later regret.
We can use this one to let another person know we are struggling to stay calm. We use it when something doesn’t go as planned or when someone does something wrong.
9 Aggressive Italian Hand Gestures with Meaning
Italians are passionate people. They often express their aggressiveness through hand gestures.
They’re shown in the second part of the video.
- Aggressive Italian hand gesture 1
Se ti prendo!
If I catch you!
For this Italian hand gesture, teeth are chomped into a hand, and held horizontally at head height. The bitten hand is then used to make a chopping gesture in the air.
This might look as though it indicates hunger, but in fact, sends a message of impending punishment.
It stands for: “If I catch you you’re in deep trouble, I’ll hurt you.”
Mothers use it with restless kids making too much noise.
It’s also sometimes used by men eyeing up women they’d like to get their hands on, if only they could stop biting those hands.
- Aggressive Italian hand gesture 2
Non ci penso neanche!
No way!
Hit your forefinger or hand’s edge against your shown teeth.
It means “that’s not gonna happen”.
- Aggressive Italian hand gesture 3
Ma che vuoi?!
What the ****?!
The most popular Italian hand gesture. And yet, one of the most aggressive.
Keep your fingers together, with tips touching and pointing upward. The arm is about a foot distance away from the body. Hands can move up and down at the wrist or be held.
English meanings:
- What do you mean/What do you want?
- What the **** are you talking about?
- You are saying stupid/false things
- Who the *** are you?
…and other similar colorful expressions.
One of your friends is saying something totally silly? or trying to bullsh*t you?
Using this hand gesture will clearly state that you ain’t buying any of it! Or you can even use it to simply piss them off even if they are talking about astrophysics.
This is one of my favorites! It is really effective and straight to the point. Don’t forget to use a proper face!
- Aggressive Italian hand gesture 4
Sei pazzo!
You’re crazy.
Why say a simple “no” when you have a specific gesture for it?
Put your hand open, except for the thumb, in front of your face and perpendicular to the nose. Then shake with quick and short circular movements.
It’s not only a NO, it’s a
“Are you mad? Completely forget about it!”
You should use this one only with friends.
It’s not considered rude, but it’s not also a very polite way to say a no 🙂
- Aggressive Italian hand gesture 5
Ma va!
Go to hell!
You can soften this Italian hand gesture by smiling. Else, it’s very rude.
- Aggressive Italian hand gesture 6
Sei veramente testardo!
You’re really stubborn!
This Italian hand gesture literally means “hard-headed”.
Knocking your fist on the table or the wall works, too.
- Aggressive Italian hand gesture 7
Me ne frego!
I don’t care!
Hand open face down under the chin and forward movement in the air.
It’s considered rude because its meaning is simple and too direct:
“I don’t care.”
But, to be more precise, its correct translation should be:
“I completely don’t give a ****.”
- Aggressive Italian hand gesture 8
Vattene!
Go away!
The beauty of Italian hand gestures is also evident in how the countless different meanings can be constructed through the creative use of the hands.
Repeatedly hitting the side of your right hand with the palm of your left hand, for example, means “Go away! Get out!”
This same gesture can also mean “to cut loose” or “to jump ship.”
- Aggressive Italian hand gesture 9
Mi stai qui!
I can’t stand you!
While this gesture involves a forearm held horizontally against the stomach, it’s neither a gesture of hunger nor an invitation to lunch.
This Italian hand gesture means: “I can’t digest you.”
5 Rude Italian Hand Gestures for Swearing
There’s a lot of swearing in Italian. Hand gestures can be a form of swearing, too.
They’re shown in the last part of the video.
- Rude Italian hand gesture 1
Ti faccio un culo cosí!
I’m gonna kick your ass!
This vulgar and threatening gesture used to criticize someone for his actions as well as to communicate the statement “I can make you very ill!”, could certainly get him into trouble!
The literal meaning here is:
“I’ll kick you so hard your buttocks will end up this far apart.”
It’s a fairly aggressive threat, so it’s probably best to seek butt-saving solutions — run if necessary.
It’s also true that this gesture can be used in a different context with another meaning:
“Mi sono fatto un culo così” (roughly meaning “I worked my ass off”) indicates how much effort you put into achieving a specific goal.
However, in this case, you would also need to make a different facial expression to accompany the gesture.
In either case, I don’t think any Italian would think about pizza if they saw this gesture!
- Rude Italian hand gesture 2
Vaffanculo!
F*** you!
Now, some serious swearing.
This is the Italian version of the middle finger (F*** you).
Put your hand on the middle of the other arm and bend that arm a little.
It’s called an umbrella because your arm takes the shape of an old umbrella handle.
It’s maybe the rudest gesture of our repertory, and I suggest avoiding using it on almost any occasion, or your vacations in Italy can end badly.
- Rude Italian hand gesture 3
Che palle!
Boring!
Uffa che palle: Gimme a break.
Another Italian classic — so, inevitably, it involves genitals.
This Italian hand gesture literally means “My balls are getting this big out of boredom”.
Here the hands are held loosely in front of the body and shaken from the wrists. Rolling your eyes can help.
Optionally, the arms can be crossed.
It means “enough,” or “I’ve had it,” or “gimme a break” and symbolizes an imminent testicle explosion.
Italians use it dozens of times a day, just to stress a point.
Visitors can try it when they’re exasperated, but shouldn’t overdo it, otherwise, they risk looking clumsy and even more obsessed by testicles than Italians.
- Rude Italian hand gesture 4
scopare
to f**ck
Knocking the air is a proposition for sex.
There are a couple of gestures for women to be wary of when encountering macho Italian men.
Italians aren’t shy about the facts of life and so it’s not uncommon for men to come right out and say it, albeit in sign language.
If they hold their fist aloft and appear to knock the air, they’re asking for a one-night stand.
If they place their index fingers together, pointing toward you, they’re just asking you out.
In either case, whether it’s a “yes” or “no,” it’s best to be just as upfront in response.
- Rude Italian hand gesture 5
Suca!
Suck it!
I was a bit embarrassed to edit this video of Italian hand gestures, but I couldn’t leave out this because it’s very common and says a lot about Italian pop culture.
This is the least classy gesture you can do, definitely.
Open your hands and shake them to indicate your lower parts.
The title suca means literally suck it up.
So, the meaning is… yes, this gesture means what you are thinking.
But it’s more a mockery gesture than anything else.
It’s used when you have defeated your opponent at something, and you like to celebrate by taunting him.
Or when someone tries to put you in a difficult situation and you overcome it with success.
Or, finally, when your opponent has failed something (like in sports) and you enjoy his misfortune.
Like a sir, indeed…
Conclusion
How did you like my video of Italian hand gestures? Is it funny? Weird? Outrageous?
This is obviously only a small taste of the extraordinary world of nonverbal communication in Italian; I would recommend deepening your knowledge of what it means to be Italian in all of its facets and forms of communication, hand gestures included.
It’s really interesting to see how people from other cultures react so incredulously to explanations of our hand gestures. In effect, we are talking about an extraordinary language that traces its roots back to the primordial dawn of humanity.
Don’t worry, with a little bit of practice you will soon become a Jedi Master of Italian gestures.
The beauty of gestures lies in the fact that you don’t really need to speak or understand Italian to know what’s going on, so keep on practicing, and before you know it you’ll be able to show everyone how Italian you really are!
It’s also fun to associate gestures with common Italian phrases to memorize them more easily.
To expand your repertoire of expressions, check out my collection of Italian idioms, Italian sayings, Italian proverbs, Italian quotes, Italian songs or even Italian swear words, just for a laugh.
