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Japanese · 5 phrases

Hand Gestures

The non-verbal ways to confuse or offend. The Japanese "come here" looks like the Western "go away"; the "OK" ring can mean money; a raised pinky quietly means "his lady"; and pointing at a person is genuinely rude. Learn these and you'll dodge the visitor's most common silent faux pas.

お金のサイン okane no sain gesture Money (NOT 'OK' — context-dependent) おいでおいで oide oide gesture Come here 小指 koyubi gesture His/your woman — girlfriend, mistress, or 'the lady' 指差し yubisashi gesture Pointing at people (rude) 中指を立てる nakayubi o tateru gesture Up yours (imported Western gesture)