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"Gesto" is a noun which is often translated as "gesture", and "ademán" is a noun which is also often translated as "gesture". Learn more about the difference between "gesto" and "ademán" below.
el gesto(
hehs
-
toh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (indication)
a. gesture
Hizo un gesto para indicar que estaba de acuerdo.She made a gesture to indicate that she agreed.
a. expression
Dijo que sí, pero su gesto decía que no.He said yes, but his expression was saying no.
b. face
Hizo un gesto de alivio al enterarse de que habían llegado a salvo.His face showed relief when he found out that they had arrived safely.
c. gesture
Su gesto facial en la foto de la montaña rusa es graciosísimo.Her facial gesture in the picture of her on the roller coaster is hilarious.
3. (courtesy)
a. gesture
Le cedí la palabra a Hugo en un gesto de buena voluntad.I ceded the floor to Hugo in a gesture of goodwill.
el ademán(
ah
-
deh
-
mahn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (motion)
a. gesture (with the hands)
Cuando Jim vio a Lucy entrar al restaurante, le hizo un ademán para que se sentara junto a él.When Jim saw Lucy walk into the restaurant, he made a gesture for her to sit with him.
Con un ademán, el duque le indicó a su mayordomo que se retirara.With a gesture, the duke signaled for the butler to leave.
b. expression (with the face)
Ella no dijo nada, pero su ademán de disgusto expresó claramente lo que sentía.She didn't say a word, but her expression of disgust clearly conveyed what she felt.
c. movement
Llévale la cuenta a la mesa tres. El cliente hizo el ademán de irse del bar.Take the check to table three. The customer made a movement as though to leave the bar.
los ademanes
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. manners
Hay que enseñar a los niños buenos ademanes en la mesa.Children must be taught good table manners.