1. Famous Italian hand gestures and their meanings.
I Gesti in Italia
Famous Italian hand gestures and their meanings.

2. Hand Gestures
Italians are NOTORIOUS for the hand gestures they use when they speak.
Hand gestures are a culture’s way of conveying meaning without the spoken word.
What American hand gestures do you know?

3. Rabbia/Sono arrabbiato Rage/I am mad
Bite the knuckle of one finger, generally the index. It is not necessary to bite hard.

4. Magro Così Thin like this
Hold up hand with fist closed and pinky finger held upright.

5. Buono! Good!
Place the tip of the index finger on the cheek and rotate it counterclockwise.

6. Sei matto! Are you crazy?
Tap the forehead several times with the fingers of one hand, held bent downwards.

7. Hai una sigaretta/Fumare Do you have a cigarette?/To smoke
Extend the index and middle fingers as though holding an invisibile cigarette.
I do NOT condone
smoking.

8. Sonno Sleepy
Rest cheek on both hands, like a pillow.

9. Aiuto/Per Favore Help/please
Fold hands, as if in prayer, in front of chest. Hands may remain motionless or move forward and back.

10. Tocca a te… B A C D E G F

11. Soldi Money
With a closed fist, rub the tips of the thumb and index fingers together.

12. Mangiare To eat
Bring the tips of all five fingers together and move hand repeatedly towards half-open mouth.

13. Che vuoi? What do you want?
Bring together the tips of all fingers of one hand, pointing upward. The hand can remain motionless or be shaken up and down. The rate of the shaking, slowly to more rapidly, depends on how impatient the person is.

14. Idea!
Place index finger on top of head, as if pointing to where ideas come from.

15. Telefonami! Call me!
Extend thumb and pinky finger, keep remaining fingers folded toward the palm; hold thumb close to ear and pinky finger toward mouth.

16. Non so niente! I don’t know anything.
Hold both hands in front of chest, palms open and facing upward.

17. Silenzio Be quiet
Place index finger, pointed upward, across lips.