17th January 2015

GESTOS ESPAÑOLES

Although most of the Spanish I teach is verbal communication, it’s important to remember that not all communication is verbal – & the Spanish perhaps more than any others use gestures as a means of communication!
Here are some hand gestures that you will see frequently.

You might think that this means ‘I’m watching you’ – but it doesn’t! In Spanish it’s A dos velas , meaning that he’s down to his last two candles – he’s broke – penniless!

This one means ‘I’m watching you’…..

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If you’re hungry you might use this one – it means a comer ‘let’s eat’

and if the food is really good you might do this – it means para chuparse los dedos – finger-licking good! You put your fingers together to your lips & flick your hand forward, opening it as you go & making a ‘kissing’ sound!

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If you’ve ‘had enough’ of something there are several options – this one means corta – ‘cut it out!’ Often used to tell someone to cut a phone conversation short. Make a scissor action with your fingers.

This one means !estoy harto hasta aqui! – I’m fed up to here! Abruptly flick your fingers away & up from the side of your head.

Then we have !me lavo las manos! – I’m washing my hands (of this). Rub the palms of your hands together, away from your body, then turn them over & do it again!

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Use this one to say that someone has a cara dura – that they are cheeky or that they have a cheek! Rub the back of your hand on your cheek

With this you can tell someone that they are lazy – with open hands move your arms up & down at waist level

This one means ‘trust me’. Make a fist, put your thumb to your lips & move your hand away from your mouth, pointing your index finger at whoever you are telling to trust you!