LINK: https://youtu.be/5Gc4tim4EmU
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the most common Argentina hand gestures.
#1 APORTAR
Gesture: Thumb over finger with fist touching a surface
Meaning: Put in money or invest, financed by, paid off
How to do: For this Argentina hand gesture, close your four fingers over your palm, making sure the fingertips point straight back towards the inside of your elbow. The thumb should be on top of the already closed index finger facing away from your body.
Next, moving your fist at the wrist only (keep the arm still) swing your fist down, maintaining your arm parallel to the ground. Then, with the flat surface area formed between your knuckles and first joints on the four fingers, lock your wrist and touch or hit a table, or similar surface. It is also common to hit the palm of your other hand, instead of a hard surface.
Related Reading: 20 Argentina Slang Words in Spanish for MONEY
#2 ¿QUÉ ES ESTO?
Gesture: fingertips touching, facing upwards
Meaning: means “what was that all about?”, “what was he thinking?”, “what’s going on?”
How to do: Open your hand flat, with the palm facing upwards. Bend your four fingers upwards, and bend your thumb up to touch the fingers. Make sure that the thumb touches all four fingers at once. This should form a cone (Indian teepee-like shape) with your hand. Next, move your hand back and forth slightly at the wrist two or three times. It is also common to make this Argentina hand gesture with both hands at once.
#3 PROLIJO
Gesture: fingers towards body hand in line moves downward
Meaning: well-mannered, serious, respectful, a correct person
How to do: Touch your thumb and your index finger on your right hand. Make sure that each finger touches the finger(s) next to it. Place your hand, with fingers pointing to your chest, touching the middle of your chest about 2 inches below your neck. Slowly move your hand down your chest, as if tracing a tie that hangs down. Your hand should drop about 3-4 inches in the process.
#4 FALTA MUCHO
Gesture: vertical hand back and forth
Meaning: keep going for a while longer, you still have a ways to go
How to do: Place your hand, palm open, facing toward your ear. Leave two inches between your ear and palm. Move your hand backwards at the wrist, then forward a couple of times, similar to the action of throwing (or pump-faking) an American football.
#5 ANDÁ (A CAGAR)
Gesture: hand open, facing body, arm moves from lower position upward
Meaning: screw off, get the hell out of here
How to do: Hold your right palm open, facing your body, directly in front of your chest. Without moving your elbow, rapidly move your hand towards the right, so your hand points directly up towards the sky.
Related Reading: 10 Vulgar Spanish Slang Words and Phrases from Argentina: Infographic
#6 ¡OJO!
Gesture: finger pulls down the lower part of your eye
Meaning: keep your eyes open for crooks or being ripped off, be careful about something
How to do: Using your right index finger, lightly pull down the lower part of your right eye by curling your finger. At the same time, turn your head slightly down and to the right. This Argentina hand gesture may also be done with the left eye by reversing the directions (any time the word right appears above replace with the word left) of each step.
#7 HACE TIEMPO
Gesture: vertical hand back and forth
Meaning: a long time ago
How to do: Place your hand, palm open, facing toward your ear. Leave two inches between your ear and palm. Move your hand forward at the wrist, and then backward a couple times. This is similar to the action of throwing (or pump-faking) an American football.
| ‼️ NOTE
This Argentina hand gesture is almost the exact same as FALTA MUCHO. The only major difference is that in this gesture the hand moves forward, while in the FALTA MUCHO gesture, the hand moves back. |
Bonus Gesture: ‘’No sé’’ / ‘’Ni idea”
As a bonus, we’re going to share one more of the Argentina hand gestures - and this one will come especially in handy when someone asks you a question, and you don’t know the answer to it, as it means “I don’t know” or “I have no idea.”
For this Argentinian hand gesture, you need to stick out your lower lip, tilt your head back slightly, place your hand underneath your chin with the top part of your palm touching the bottom of your chin, and flick the back of your fingers from underneath it.
The Bottom Line
Argentina hand gestures are pretty straightforward - practice them a few times, and you should have no issue understanding the locals when they use them in conversation with you. Making an effort to learn about non-verbal communication used in the country you’re visiting not only shows your respect for their culture but also allows you to feel more comfortable during your trip.
Want to decrease your chances of something taking you by surprise even more? Don’t hesitate to take a look at our Argentinian Spanish resources - from our book Speaking Argento: A Guide to Spanish from Argentina to various articles touching upon Argentina-specific slang and more, we’ve got you covered.
This post is dedicated to Pedro Corradini, an energetic, expressive, lovable teddy bear who taught me about being Argentine. Our hours together of wine and asados on the beach made Speaking Argento possible. I miss him.
