What are common gestures Italians use to show feelings
Italians commonly use a rich variety of hand gestures to show feelings such as frustration, appreciation, indifference, admiration, and others. Here are some notable examples:
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“Che vuoi?” (What do you want?): This iconic Italian gesture expresses confusion, frustration, or disbelief. It is done by pinching the fingertips of one hand together and moving the hand up and down. The stronger the movement, the stronger the feeling conveyed. 1, 5
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“Mamma mia, che buono!” (My goodness, how good!): To show exceptional appreciation for food or something delightful, Italians kiss their fingertips and flick them outward. 5, 1
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The chin flick (“Non me ne frega” - I don’t care): A dismissive gesture expressing indifference or disregard, done by flicking the fingers outwards from under the chin. 2, 7, 5
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“Perfetto!” (Perfect!): The gesture involves making a circle by touching the thumb and index finger tips together, signaling approval or perfection of something. 5
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“Bellissimo!” (Beautiful!): Expresses admiration by bringing all fingertips together, kissing them, then moving the hand outward in a flourish. 5
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“Ti prego” (I beg you): Pressing palms together like in prayer is used when making earnest requests or begging for something sincerely. 5
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“Mi stai qui” (You’re getting on my nerves): A hand laid horizontally on the stomach, sometimes with a pushing motion, signals frustration or annoyance. 5
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The “horns” gesture: Used superstitiously to ward off bad luck or offensively to imply that one’s partner has been unfaithful. 2
These gestures are integral to Italian communication and can vary somewhat by region or context. Italians frequently combine them with facial expressions and verbal emphasis to convey their emotions vividly. 7, 1, 5
This rich gestural vocabulary reflects the passionate and expressive nature of Italian culture.