Study Italian And Italian Hand Gestures: Travel Your Way In Italy!

Without speaking a word of Italian, you can travel in Italy. You can just arm yourself with Italian hand signals, a genuine smile, and an outgoing personality, and you are set to explore Il Bel Paese. Or, are you?

Still, you’re better off studying Italian before you go. To guide you, however, you can utilize these Italian hand signals.

Un momento!

In English, this translates to “one moment, please.” Just make a number 1 with your index finger, pointing upwards. This can also mean “may I speak, please?”, but it will be handy to study Italian then.

Ho fame

This is a plea to your hosts to feed you, meaning “I’m hungry.” You need to hit your stomach with the side of your flat hand, which should convey a clear message. Still you’ll need to learn to speak italian words to grasp Italian food; or else, you will find yourself gagging on pasta and pizza. You’ll understand the difference between pollo and polipo if you study Italian. These dishes might bring you allergies, after all!

Ehi tu, vieni qui

This means “come here.” It’s the same come hither signal applied in America. You need to apply this with care because this could look sexually inviting or obnoxious. It is still better practice to learn to say “prego, potete aiutarli” to ask someone to come over.

Silenzio

This uses the universal gesture of pressing your index finger to your lips for “silence.” If you wish to explain why you want quiet, though, you will have to learn italian.

Idea!

“I have an idea!” is the correct translation for this. Emphasize that you have an idea by putting on a happy face with your hand on your head. However, putting your great idea across will require time and effort if you didn’t bother to study Italian.

Perfetto

Made with your thumb and index fingers forming a circle, do this with both hands, and you’ve praised someone with a perfect score. This hand signal doesn’t demand that you speak italian, which makes this very handy in your Italian travels.

Scusi, devo andare al bagno

Wear a pained expression while holding up your index and middle fingers if you want to go to the bathroom. If you require regular bathroom trips, this is important.

It is poetry in motion to use these Italian hand gestures. Still, it never hurts to know and read Italian poetry in books, billboards, and street signs, which requires that you do have to learn Italian! Then why not get the best of both worlds?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBUOVjd0kHI