These hand gestures will help you get by in any Italian restaurant

The Italian language actually consists of two parts: spoken language and sign language. Because I think I can safely say that half of what an Italian says happens with their hands. Graphic designer Bruno Munari even devoted an entire book to it in 1958. Supplemento al Dizionario Italiano is a fun little book to have, and it inspired me to create a few illustrations of Italian hand gestures myself, to help set you on your way in this article.

Now, using our hands to talk doesn’t really come naturally to us, so I recommend using this crash course in Italian hand gestures only as a translation tool for the real Italian. Although there are a few that are genuinely fun to try out, such as a compliment for the chef. Andiamo (you’ll find out how to do this with your hands at the bottom).

Crash course in Italian hand gestures

1. Che cazzo fai!

The most famous gesture. What are you talking about?! What are you doing? What do you want? What did you say?

2. The plea

You’ve probably seen an Italian fervently praying at some point. Well, they’re not actually praying: if their palms are pressed together, they’re asking you for a favor. If their up-and-down-moving hands are folded more like a bowl, then it fits into the category above and the Italian can’t believe their ears.

3. You’re crazy

Don’t tap your forehead with your index finger, but your temple. Sei pazzo!

4. Pointing at the palm

Don’t argue with an Italian who is emphatically tapping the palm of their hand with their index finger. There’s no changing their mind: they’re standing firm.

5. Stay calm

You express Stai calmo by moving your hands, fingers spread, toward the ground.

6. I don’t know

And if you turn those calming hands around with your palms facing upward, raise your shoulders for some extra drama and pull a helpless face, everyone will know that you really have no idea.

7. The perfect gesture

In Italy, you thank someone with a perfect gesture: your thumb and index finger form a circle, with the rest pointing upward. That’s right: the gesture we use to express “perfect” is used by Italians as a sign of appreciation. You can optionally press your index finger and thumb together slightly, like a beak.

8. The real perfect gesture

So how do you say that something is perfect in Italy? Make the “perfect” hand gesture and move your right hand toward your left, then pull it in a straight line toward the right in front of your chest. As if you’re pulling a thin string to the right.

9. Hungry as a horse

Hold your right hand flat with your palm facing down at the level of your diaphragm, then pretend you’re chopping yourself in half. Everyone will immediately know that you’re hungry.

10. Compliments to the chef

Finished eating? Make a little gun with your hand and place it against your cheek as if you’re shooting yourself. Turn your thumb from top to bottom and you’ve delivered your compliments to the chef.

11. It’s beautiful

Bring all your fingertips together, kiss them and move your hand away from your mouth like a flower opening. Bellissima! 

12. See you later!

Point your index finger into the air and make two graceful circles forward from the wrist to tell someone you’ll see them later. A dopo.

13. I’m sorry

If someone makes one or two little guns with their hands and turns their thumbs from the inside outward, your request is being rejected because it won’t work out, mi dispiace. 

14. Hand under the chin

Totally uninterested in what someone is saying? Place your hand under your chin with your palm facing down, move your hand forward, pull a disgruntled face and you’re done. This gesture is actually very common and isn’t meant to be as rude as it looks.

15. Go away and come here

You shoo someone away in the same way you’re used to, but in Italy it may be done with the entire forearm instead of just the wrist. And if you want someone to come to you, you make the movement the other way around: as if you’re swimming very half-heartedly with one arm. Andiamo, then, or vieni qui.

Also read:

• Italian dishes you’ll never, ever get in Italy
• This is the absolute, absolute, absolute tastiest filthy pizza on the menu in Italy
• 10 things you shouldn’t do when you’re in Italy—and probably do anyway

Images: Italiamo