Italian Hand Gestures

As an Italian, we all know we speak volumes with our hands, so here are a few to think about!

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.     English translation: Let's go to sleep.	C'è da fare o no?... English translation: Yes or no?	Mi dà un passaggio? English translation: Can you give me a ride?
Scongiuro. English translation: Gesturer wants to ward off bad luck.	Un momento! English translation: One moment please! or May I speak?	Mah! English translation: Perplexed. Gesturer is undecided.
Ho fame. English translation: I'm hungry.	Ehi tu, vieni qui! (Ascolta!) English translation: Hey! Come here, you! (Listen!)	Come? English translation: What?
Vieni fra le mie braccia! English translation: Come to me!	Andiamo a dormire. English translation: Let's go to sleep.	Che puzza! English translation: What a smell!
Silenzio. English translation: Silence (keep quiet).	Che barba... English translation: How annoying...	Che peso! (Mi sta qua!) English translation: I cannot stand this situation/person/thing any longer.
Ora ricordo! English translation: Now I remember!	Che sbadato! English translation: How could I have forgotten?!	Idea! English translation: I've got an idea!
Perfetto. English translation: Perfect.	Me lo sono lavorato di sopra e di sotto. English translation: Indicates manipulation, cunning.	Intesa. English translation: (Remember our agreement.)
Chissà che è?! English translation: Who knows what it is?!	Mettersi il paraocchi. English translation: To put on blinders. (just to see things one way)	È un po' toccato. English translation: He's a little crazy.
Giuro. English translation: I swear it.	Fumare. English translation: Got a smoke?	Me ne frego. English translation: I don't give a damn.
Scusi, devo andare al bagno. English translation: I have to go to the bathroom.	OK! English translation: OK!	Che curve! English translation: What a body!
[Mangia, mangia!] No grazie! English translation: No thank you, I'm full/not hungry/sick.	Rubare. English translation: He's a robber.	Se l'intendono. English translation: They're in this together; they understand each other.