Common Gestures and Body Language in Spanish‑Speaking Cultures

Meet more than words. In Spanish‑speaking cultures, greetings, distance, and little hand moves carry a lot of meaning. Here is your friendly cheat sheet to the most common gestures and body language from Madrid to Mexico City to Montevideo.

Before you dive in, brush up on essential greetings with basic Spanish greetings and phrases, and see gestures in context across levels with our graded Spanish stories.

Greetings and first impressions

• besokiss on the cheek
  • Spain: usually two light cheek kisses, starting to your right
  • Much of Latin America: often one cheek kiss, especially between women or a man and a woman
  • Men: handshake or a friendly abrazohug among friends and family is common in many places
• Handshakes: generally warm and slightly longer, with eye contact
• Names and titles: use first names quickly in casual settings, but default to a polite greeting if unsure

Personal space and touch

• Distance: people often stand a bit closer than in many English‑speaking countries
• Light touch: a hand on the shoulder or forearm can show warmth or emphasis in conversation
• Eye contact: steady and friendly, not a hard stare

espacio personalpersonal space tends to be more relaxed with friends and colleagues. Step in slightly if your partner does, step back if they seem uncomfortable.

Facial cues and pointing

• Lip pointing: in parts of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, people may point with their lips instead of a finger. Look for a slight pout in the direction of interest.
• Ojo gesture: a finger pulling down the lower eyelid or a quick tap under the eye means be careful or pay attention
• Expressions: animated faces are common. Smiles and raised eyebrows often signal interest or surprise

Learn more colorful expressions built on body parts in our guide to idiomatic expressions with body parts.

Hand gestures you will actually see

• Thumbs up: positive in most of Spain and Latin America. It means good or OK
• Money: rubbing thumb against fingertips suggests cost or payment
• Counting: many people start with the thumb for one
• Come here: varies. A palm‑down curl of the fingers is common in some places. If unsure, pair a small wave with a verbal Ven aquí

Need a quick refresher on numbers? Review core counting words in Spanish numbers.

Curious about “Ven aquí” and other commands? See our guide to affirmative commands (imperative mood).

Use with caution

• OK circle with thumb and index finger: positive in some places but rude in others in Latin America. Safer to say OK or use a thumbs up
• Cuernos horns hand sign: can insult someone by implying infidelity in parts of Spain and Latin America
• Pointing: a hard point can feel aggressive. Point with your whole hand or nod with your chin instead

Posture, pace, and presence

• Posture: open chest, relaxed arms, palms occasionally visible signals friendliness
• Gesturing while speaking: expect more hand movement, especially when telling stories
• Silence: short pauses are normal. Do not rush to fill every gap

Quick country snapshots

• Spain
  • Two cheek kisses are normal among acquaintances
  • Open hand gestures, firm handshake, comfortable eye contact
• Mexico
  • One cheek kiss among women or across genders in casual contexts
  • The elbow tap can mean someone is stingy. People might point with lips
• Caribbean Spanish
  • Warm greetings, closer distance, animated gestures. Lip pointing is common
• Southern Cone Argentina, Uruguay, Chile
  • Hugs and cheek kisses among friends. In Argentina men may give a cheek kiss to male friends
  • Direct eye contact and expressive hands

Want to adjust tone for different settings? Read about formal vs. informal registers.

Do and do not cheat sheet

• Do
  • Smile, keep steady eye contact, and mirror the other person
  • Offer a handshake first in formal settings
  • Use a thumbs up or a clear verbal vale or OK to agree
• Do not
  • Jab your finger when pointing
  • Assume the OK circle is always fine
  • Panic if someone stands close. Take a small step back only if needed

Mini vocab you can spot in the wild

• apretón de manoshandshake
• saludogreeting
• ojowatch out
• codostingy
• pulgar arribathumbs up

Bottom line

Start a little formal, watch the room, then match the local warmth. If you smile, make friendly eye contact, and keep your gestures open and relaxed, you will communicate respect and connection without saying a word.