Spanish Body Language: Gestures and Manners You Must Know

By Jairo Pérez

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November 15, 2025

Contents

Introduction

1. The Friendly Double Kiss

2. The “Okay” Sign

3. The Handshake and Beyond

4. The “Come Here” Gesture

5. Showing Respect with Eye Contact

6. The Thumbs-Up Sign

7. The Significance of Personal Space

Why Understanding Gestures Matters

Tips for Practicing Gestures and Body Language

Conclusion

Introduction

When you travel or interact with people from Spanish-speaking countries, words are not the only thing that matters. Gestures in Spanish-speaking countries and body language in Hispanic cultures are powerful tools for communication. These non-verbal cues like a handshake, a kiss on the cheek, or eye contact can express respect, warmth, or even disagreement.

For young learners, travelers, and parents of bilingual kids, body language matters just as much as words. Misunderstanding nonverbal communication in Spanish culture can cause confusion or embarrassment. Knowing the meaning of common gestures in Spanish culture and Latin America helps you connect better. It helps you avoid mistakes and shows respect.

This blog shows seven key Spanish gestures and non-verbal cues. With these tips, you'll feel more confident when traveling, studying, or making connections.

1. The Friendly Double Kiss

One of the most well-known gestures in Spain is the double kiss greeting. People lightly touch cheeks and make a small kissing sound, usually starting with the right cheek. This greeting is common between friends, family, and even acquaintances.

Spain: The double kiss is standard for both casual and formal settings.
Argentina: People often give just one kiss instead of two.
Mexico: A handshake or hug is more common in formal situations.

This hand gesture in Spain may surprise English speakers who are used to handshakes. But in Hispanic cultures, it signals warmth and friendliness. Understanding these variations will help you avoid awkwardness and show that you respect cultural body language in Spanish communities.

2. The “Okay” Sign

The “okay” gesture making a circle with your thumb and index finger does not always mean “good” or “perfect.” In many places it does, but in some regions of Latin America, it may have a negative or even rude meaning.

Positive meaning: Everything is fine, all is good.
Negative meaning: In parts of Latin America (and Brazil, though not Spanish-speaking), it can be vulgar.

This is a great example of how the meaning of gestures in Latin America depends heavily on context. Always learn local norms before using gestures that feel automatic to you.

3. The Handshake and Beyond

In many Spanish-speaking countries, handshakes are a basic way to greet people. But greetings often go beyond a simple shake.

In business, a firm handshake shows professionalism.
Among friends, men might hug or pat each other on the back.
Women may give a light kiss, a hug, or touch someone’s arm to show warmth.

This flexibility in greetings reflects the importance of relationships in body language in Hispanic cultures. Recognizing when to move beyond the handshake will help you blend in more naturally.

4. The “Come Here” Gesture

In the United States, calling someone over is often done with the palm facing up and fingers curling inward. But in many Spanish-speaking countries, this gesture is reversed. The palm faces down, and the fingers scratch inward.

Spanish regions and Latin America: Palm down, fingers beckoning inward.
U.S. style: Palm up, fingers curling.

Using the wrong gesture might confuse people or even appear rude. Learning this small but important difference in non-verbal cues in Spanish countries makes communication smoother.

5. Showing Respect with Eye Contact

Eye contact is one of the strongest forms of nonverbal communication in Spanish culture. In general, looking someone in the eyes shows respect, confidence, and sincerity.

Formal settings: Strong eye contact is expected, especially in business meetings.
Informal settings: Softer or shorter eye contact works, but avoiding it altogether may look disrespectful.

Just like cultural body language in Spanish traditions, eye contact carries meaning beyond words. Finding the right balance shows you understand the social rules.

6. The Thumbs-Up Sign

A thumbs-up is usually seen as a positive sign of approval in most of the world. In Spanish-speaking countries, it often means the same thing: “good job,” “okay,” or “yes.”

However, tone and situation matter. If you give a thumbs-up too quickly or casually, it might come across as dismissive or sarcastic. Spanish gestures and cultural gestures in Latin America can change based on the social setting.

7. The Significance of Personal Space

One of the most important parts of body language in Hispanic cultures is how people handle personal space. In many Spanish-speaking countries, people stand closer together than in English-speaking cultures.

Social interactions: Standing close shows warmth and friendliness.
Business interactions: There is a bit more distance, but still closer than what Americans might expect.

This cultural body language in Spanish communities may feel unusual at first. But once you understand it, you’ll feel more comfortable and less likely to step back in a way that might appear cold.

Why Understanding Gestures Matters

Learning Spanish or any language goes beyond grammar and vocabulary. Parents often ask, “Should my child learn Spanish or Chinese?” or “Which language is easier, Spanish or Mandarin?” While these are important questions, communication also depends on nonverbal cues in Spanish countries.

Knowing Spanish or Mandarin for kids is one thing. Yet, no matter which language they learn, kids also need to grasp gestures. Choosing Spanish or Mandarin pros and cons for your child should include not just words but cultural knowledge.

Is it better for my child to start with Spanish or Mandarin? This is a frequent inquiry among parents. Each language offers advantages for children. Spanish is often simpler due to its phonetics, while Mandarin offers a unique cultural immersion.

Consider your child's interests and future needs when making this choice.” becomes more rewarding when parents think about culture. Teaching them words and cultural gestures from Latin America helps prepare them for real conversations, not just classroom practice.

Tips for Practicing Gestures and Body Language

Watch local media: Films and TV shows from Spain or Latin America highlight common gestures in Spanish culture.
Practice greetings at home: Try the double kiss or handshake in safe settings.
Travel with awareness: Pay attention to how locals use hand gestures in Spain or Latin America.
Teach kids early: Alongside words, show them the meaning of gestures in Latin America to avoid cultural mistakes.

Blending language lessons with Spanish gestures helps both kids and adults communicate better. This mix of words and body language reflects the culture of Spanish-speaking countries.

Conclusion

Non-verbal communication plays a huge role in how people connect. Learning gestures in Spanish-speaking countries is just as important as learning the words themselves. From the double kiss to the thumbs-up, each gesture offers insight into body language in Hispanic cultures.

When you combine language skills with cultural awareness, you gain a deeper connection to people and their traditions. Traveling, studying, or raising bilingual kids? Focus on Spanish gestures! Knowing common gestures in Spanish culture can improve your experience in Latin America.

Next time you visit Spain, Mexico, or Argentina, remember this: sometimes, the strongest messages are unspoken.

Jairo Pérez

Academic Team

Jairo Pérez is the Head of Academics at Comligo. Originally from Mexico, he has extensive experience teaching Spanish as a second language and in the fields of Human and Artistic Sciences. Passionate about language, culture, and education, he enjoys exploring different cultures, visiting museums, and embracing nature.