Brazilian Body Language

Enthusiastic or Sympathetic

Delicious

Gostoso.  Copyright Sheila Thomson.  All rights reserved.

Here's a cute one. Tug at your earlobe like this when you think something is delicious. Usually accompanied by the expression "Θ daqui!" Normally used only with food.

 

OK

OK.  Copyright Sheila Thomson.  All rights reserved.

Thumb up: means OK, cool, positive, good-luck, like the American expression "thumbs up!" Accompanied by the words "legal", "j≤ia", or whatever slang of the moment to signify your approval or enthusiasm. Whatever you do, DO NOT do the American OK sign...it's VERY close to an extremely obscene Brazilian gesture.

 

Poor thing, you're jealous!

Rub a hand under your elbow to indicate that someone is jealous. He or she is suffering from "dor de cotovelo." It literally means elbow pain. One explanation is that when you feel down you sit for a long time with your elbows on the table and they get sore...

 

She's got it made!

Put your thumbs under your armpits and wiggle your fingers to indicate that you or someone else is living the good life.

Brazilian Body Language