13 Hand Gestures That Have Different Meanings Overseas

Publish date: 2024-06-01

When we go overseas, sometimes language can be a barrier. We mean to say one thing, but the locals understood it to be something else. Luckily body language can help us communicate when words fail to do so. But as it turns out, not all hand signals are created equal. The same hand gestures could mean different things in other countries. In fact, some innocent hand signals might come off as offensive!

1. The “OK” gesture

America: Okay.
Japan: Money. Sometimes the gesture is made with the 3 fingers at the bottom.
Brazil: A rude gesture. Don’t make the same mistake as Richard Nixon, who visited Brazil and flashed the “Ok sign” to a waiting crowd, but was responded to with boos.

2. The “I’ve got your nose” gesture

America: The thumb between the index and middle fingers represents the nose stolen from a kid’s face in the “I’ve Got Your Nose” game.
Turkey: An obscene gesture used to show disagreement or to deny a request.
Brazil: A good luck charm to ward off the evil eye and jealousy.
Indonesia: An offensive gesture.
American Sign Language (ASL): The sign for the letter T.

3. The “V” gesture

America: Peace. It also used to mean “V for Victory.”
China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand: Cute pose when being photographed.
United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland: When the same gesture is done but with the back of the hand facing outward, it’s an insult.
ASL: The sign for the number 2.

4. The “loser” gesture

America: Usually uses it as a taunt or insult, it means “loser.”
China: Indicates the number 8, which is considered a lucky number. Knowing how to sign numbers is especially useful when bargaining in China.

5. The thumbs up

America: Good. It is also used when hitchhiking.
Iraq, Iran: An insult.
ASL: Thumbs up wiggled left and right is the sign for the number 10. When held stationary and thrust toward another person the meaning is “yourself.”

6. The pinky up

America: It either indicates “fancy” when drinking tea or it’s a sign that you’re making a promise that should not be broken, also called a pinky swear.
China: This is the same as giving the thumbs down sign. It shows that the signer is not happy.

Japan: The symbol of a lover or significant other.
ASL: The sign for the letter I.

7. The “stop” or “talk to the hand” gesture

America: Means “stop,” the number 5, or “talk to the hand.”
Greece, Pakistan: Called the “moutza” or “mountza” and is considered an insult.
Mexico, Panama: Used to say “hi,” but when steady or moving it repeatedly toward the receiver it means, “You’ll see!” warning that the giver is going to tell an authority figure.
Malaysia: Can be used to say hi to someone you know, to call a waiter, and to say thank you to another driver. It is also used when crossing the street and this is humorously known as the “God hand” because it seems as though you have the power to stop cars.

8. The “You’re dead!” gesture

America: A gesture moving the finger across the neck means “you’re done for.”
Japan: It means “you’re fired.” This is because the word kubi, which means fired from a job, sounds the same as kubi that means the neck or throat.

9. The “smelly” gesture

America: Waving the hand left and right, with the palm facing the side in front of your face, indicates that something smells bad.
Japan: It means “no.” “No can do,” “Impossible,” or even “No, thank you” are also expressed with this gesture.

10. The “money” gesture

America, Germany: The thumb rubs repeatedly over the tip of the index finger and middle finger to indicate money.

South Korea: It’s a similar gesture, but without the rubbing, to make a small heart. It means “love.”

11. The “animal ears” or “horns” gesture

America: It’s not commonly used, but it means an animal ears or horns. It is often used just to be silly or to imitate an animal while playing with children.
Japan: Also known as the “demon horns,” index fingers pointing up behind the head is used to describe that the signer is angry.

12. The fingers crossed

13. The horn fingers

America: Usually used by rockers, when the index and pinky are raised it is a sign of approval or “rock on!”
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Spain, Italy, Portugal: This sign is made at someone to tell them that their spouse is cheating on them.