How to Use Korean Hand Gestures

Filed as: How-To // Responses: 23

The way you handle your, err, hands, coveys a lot of meaning in Korean Culture. The way you place your hands upon giving and receiving things can be viewed as either proper if you know what you’re doing or disrespectful if you don’t. For example, say you’re in a convenience store here in Bucheon; when you give the cashier your money, you need to hold your cash or card one way, while the cashier takes it in another way. Your change is given back in similar fashion, and once the dance is done you can walk away with your purchase knowing that you have been respectful of the customs. As a general rule of thumb, just remember to use both hands. When you give something with one hand, make sure your other hand is touching your elbow, as if the weight of what you are giving is so heavy that you need both hands to support it. Do the same when you are receiving something, or accept it with two hands altogether.

When it comes to waving people and taxis over, a lot of significance is placed in your hand motions as well. Our North American way of doing it is supposedly very rude, because it is the way that Korean people call over their dogs. In North America, we have our palms up, and wave people towards us with a one-hand-clapping gesture. That, supposedly, is how Korean people call their dogs. When they asked me about it, they were surprised that we don’t call our dogs the same way. Martina and I just slap our thighs rapidly and yell “Here Spudgy Pudgy! Come here you fat and smelly dog!” (Now if we called Korean people over THAT way I’m sure it would be extremely rude). Anyhow, if you’re going to call over a taxi or a student in Bucheon, make sure your palm is facing down, not up, and wave them towards you as if you’re swimming with one hand.

If this all sounds confusing, and you’re worried about how to move your hands so that you don’t treat Korean people like dogs, worry no more! We’ve made a Korean Cultural education video just for you!

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http://nixmin82.tistory.com JB nixu

Haha~~

It was funny and useful information!!

I got the same situation like that i did the Korean way 'Come Gesture' but my co-worker understood like 'Go Gesture' ;)
haha
kaleigh

actually another thing when you are drinking with an older person. to be polite you need to turn to the side a bit when you take a drink.

http://www.eatyourkimchi.com Eatyourkimchi

Yeah! We forgot to mention that one :(

http://www.facebook.com/people/Austin-Green/5219559 Austin Green

Do you turn to them, or away from them while drinking?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Carla-Rafael/630839603 Carla Rafael

I know this is wayyyyy late and i don’t know if you still don’t know or care, but you have to turn away from them slightly. :)

http://twitter.com/bellavitaVIP @bellavitaVIP

I love this !!! first time watching your videos! I´m from Mexico and because KPOP (hope one day i could go to Korea)I began to search korean culture. Love ur videos, And also I love Canada (I have family there) :P saludos!

http://www.eatyourkimchi.com Eatyourkimchi

Cool! Glad you like our videos :D

Guest

What happens if you are holding other things and only have one hand available to receive an item? Sorry for being picky<_<

Shauna K

ahahaha oh my I was wondering the same thing! I've spent my first few weeks here insulting koreans left right and central oopsie
Jennifer

It depends on how old you are… I'm still a kid, so even if I'm holding something, if an adult is giving me something, I have to put down whatever I'm holding (on the floor or on any nearby surface) and receive what they give me with two hands. Otherwise yeah, it's really rude and they'll think you're some kind of rude brat … XD

Cynthia

o_o do they get really offended when non-koreans forget the hand gestures? since they know we’re not part of their culture? because it seems like such a big bother XD

http://www.facebook.com/people/ìž„ì„ê±´/100001297734753 ìž„ì„ê±´

most of korean people understand, but im not sure about old people and N. Korean ha ha

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super.cute33

martina looks pretty with medium hair =) but she looks prettier with shorter hair xD
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002093968788 Kim Yu Ri

hey guys i love your videos and specially ur dong spudgy >< his/she super cuteá„‹á„‰á„‹ can you guys make a video for mblaq mona lisa?? i know its there 2011 newest song so i was wondering if u guys could make a video for the mvÂ á…³ á„‰ á…³ thx guys btw my real name is kate but my korean name is park nayeonÂ á„á„á„ë°”ì´!!
http://twitter.com/radioactivemush Isabel Kelemina

Woah! I remember seeing this a long time before I started watching your videos regularly xD Haha, I wonder why it took me so long to find you guys a second time and realize how awesome you are
Jihyun Ahn

simple but good for understanding!! like this video.
Anonymous

Hi, I keep seeing one gesture when watching k-pop videos, and I have no idea what that means. They put a fist near their cheek and twist, like when you are brushing your teeth. Sometimes they add their tongue to puff the cheek on the other side. What does it mean? Thanks
PS: your videos are great :)))
http://www.facebook.com/WinterSkyShadow Eva Painter

What if you are left handed and automatically use your left hand to receive something with your right hand touching the left elbow? Is it still acceptable?
Anonymous

its the same as in india but in india we give stuff with two hands and bow our heads when we recieve something be it from a kid or a priest
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000452876761 Gizem Akyazi

Hahaha i have that Phrasebook,i bought i either,but im learning alone so its pretty hard,no body supports me T-T
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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1052785006 Shelby West

Is i also polite to give someone something with two hands o do you just have to support your arm?