| toss something behind back |
Multi anni fa… |
“A long time ago”, “Way back when…” |
| index finger spins forward in circle |
Dopo, Ci vediamo dopo |
“Later”, “See you later” |
| drill finger into cheek |
Buono, Bello, Delizioso |
“Good!”, “Beautiful!”, “Delicious!” |
| kiss fingertips and toss away |
Al Bacio, Benissimo, Bellissimo |
“Wonderful!” |
| pinch fingers, draw straight line |
Perfetto |
“Perfect!” |
| hands together in prayer |
Per favore, Ti prego, Ma va, Mamma mia! |
Asking for something “Please,” “I beg you”, “Come on”…or just expressing frustration/emotion “Good Lord!” (see Italian Voices column for more things that “Mamma mia” can mean) |
| side of index fingers tapping together |
Sono vicini, Se l’intendono, Sono d’accordo |
That two things or people are close/nearby, and possibly literally or figuratively in bed with each other. “There’s something going on with those two”, “They understand each other” etc. |
| “time out” with side of hand |
Andiamo via, Smamma, Vattene |
Leaving; could be either person or both: “I’m leaving,” “Go away” or “Let’s go” |
| straight hand taps stomach |
Ho fame |
“I’m hungry” |
| make pistol with thumb/index finger, rotate |
Guasto, Non posso, E finito, Non c’è, Non se ne fa nulla, Non lo so, Mi dispiace |
“It’s broken”, “Sorry, I can’t help you”, “There isn’t any more”, “Nothing can be done”, “I don’t know” |
| tug lower eyelid |
Fa attenzione, (Che) furbo, Intesa |
“Watch out”, “That guy is sneaky”, “What a smart alleck” |
| turn large imaginary knob |
Rubare |
“(Someone is trying) to steal” |
| upturned hand, pinch fingertips together |
Pieno |
“Full”, “Crowded” |
| stirring imaginary bowl with fingertips* |
Segreto, Marachella |
“Something secret/illicit is going on”, “What witches’ brew are they stirring?”, “Let’s slip away to somewhere private” |
| thumb slices down cheek* |
Intelligente, Bravo/a/e/i |
“That guy/gal is really sharp”, “I like that/him/her” |
| chin flick* |
Non me fa niente, Non m’importa, Me ne frego |
“Who cares?”, “I don’t give a damn”, if done violently could be “I don’t give a f—” (also in Naples can mean a forceful “No”) |
| index finger/hand taps head* |
Pazzo, Matto, Toccato, Svitatto |
“You/he/she is crazy!” |
| thumping downturned hand on chest* |
Che peso, Mi sta qua
|
“I can’t stand him/her”, “I can’t take any more of this” |
| shake hands up and down, fingertips together, at chest/waist level (* to ***) |
Ma cosa vuol dire, Non ci credo, Per che?
|
“I don’t agree”, “I don’t believe it”, “What am I supposed to do?” The lower it is, the more offensive–e.g. done at your crotch it is a bit like “Why are you busting my f—ing balls?” |
| fingertips together and wagged towards face (* to ***) |
Che (cazzo***) vuoi?
|
Depending on how violently you shake your hands, this could be from a relatively polite, “What did you say?” to a very rude “What the f— do you want?”. If fingers are upturned (not towards face), it is just a way of showing emphasis. |
| hands cup imaginary balls** |
Che palle (Neapolitan: Che guallera*** [sounds like “wallera”]) |
“How boring!” |
| UT hook ’em horns*** |
Cornuto (“fa la corna”)
|
“Screw you!” (Literally: You have been cuckolded–i.e. your spouse is cheating on you.) |
| one arm strikes the inside elbow, other arm goes up*** |
Tie!, Vaffanculo! |
“F— you!” (European version of the middle finger–which is also used.) |
| honking horn with palm*** |
Si tromba? / Vuoi scopare? |
“Want to f—?” (Literally, “blow the trumpet” / “sweep”) |
| flick ear*** |
Gay |
“You’re gay/lesbian” |
| both hands out, forming a box with index fingers & thumbs*** [watch Tony Soprano doing it] |
Ti faccio un…(culo così) |
“I’ll kick your a–” (Literally, “I will make your a–hole this big”) |
