Italian Hand Gestures

Italians use body language and hand gestures to punctuate an expression and give it a shading that the word or phrase itself lacks. The Italian hand gestures illustrated here are some of the more common gestures that are recognized in the country. Be aware that, like dialects, certain hand signals can mean different things within different regions—and can have completely different interpretations in other cultures. Practice these gestures on your Italian friends first to be sure you've got the right movement, otherwise, a potentially embarrassing situation could develop.

Andiamo a dormire.

 Michael San Filippo

English translation: Let's go to sleep.

C'è da fare o no?...

Michael San Filippo 

English translation: Yes or no?

Mi dà un passaggio?

Michael San Filippo 

English translation: Can you give me a ride?

Scongiuro.

 Michael San Filippo

English translation: Gesturer wants to ward off bad luck.

Un momento!

 Michael San Filippo

English translation: One moment please! or May I speak?

Mah!

Michael San Filippo 

English translation: Perplexed. Gesturer is undecided.

Ho fame.

Michael San Filippo  

English translation: I'm hungry.

Ehi tu, vieni qui! (Ascolta!)

Michael San Filippo   

English translation: Hey! Come here, you! (Listen!)

Come?

Michael San Filippo    

English translation: What?

Vieni fra le mie braccia!

Michael San Filippo     

English translation: Come to me!

Che puzza!

Michael San Filippo      

English translation: What a smell!

Silenzio.

 Michael San Filippo      

English translation: Silence (keep quiet).

Che barba...

 Michael San Filippo      

English translation: How annoying...

Che peso! (Mi sta qua!)

 Michael San Filippo       

English translation: I cannot stand this situation/person/thing any longer.

Ora ricordo!

  Michael San Filippo       

English translation: Now I remember!

Che sbadato!

  Michael San Filippo        

English translation: How could I have forgotten?!

Idea!

  Michael San Filippo        

English translation: I've got an idea!

Perfetto.

  Michael San Filippo        

English translation: Perfect.

Me lo sono lavorato di sopra e di sotto.

   Michael San Filippo        

English translation: Indicates manipulation, cunning.

Intesa.

   Michael San Filippo         

English translation: (Remember our agreement.)

Chissà che è?!

 Michael San Filippo         

English translation: Who knows what it is?!

Mettersi il paraocchi.

    Michael San Filippo          

English translation: To put on blinders. (just to see things one way)

È un po' toccato.

     Michael San Filippo 

English translation: He's a little crazy.

Giuro.

  Michael San Filippo  

English translation: I swear it.

Fumare.

 Michael San Filippo 

English translation: Got a smoke?

Me ne frego.

Michael San Filippo 

English translation: I don't give a damn.

Scusi, devo andare al bagno.

 Michael San Filippo 

English translation: I have to go to the bathroom.

OK!

 Michael San Filippo 

English translation: OK!

Che curve!

  Michael San Filippo 

English translation: What a body!

[Mangia, mangia!] No grazie!

  Michael San Filippo 

English translation: No thank you, I'm full/not hungry/sick.

Rubare.

 Michael San Filippo  

English translation: He's a robber.

Se l'intendono.

  Michael San Filippo  

English translation: They're in this together; they understand each other.

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Your Citation
Filippo, Michael San. "Italian Hand Gestures." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/italian-hand-gestures-2011523. Filippo, Michael San. (2023, April 5). Italian Hand Gestures. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/italian-hand-gestures-2011523 Filippo, Michael San. "Italian Hand Gestures." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/italian-hand-gestures-2011523 (accessed March 19, 2024).