40 Teenage Hand Signs (Gestures) and What They Mean with Pictures

Are you raising teenagers and a bit worried about their hand signs? If so then you need to know the actual meaning of their gesture to identify what they are trying to express.

You are bound to read their mind noticing their hand movement to raise them appropriately, no matter whether they are showing something complimentary or offensive.

Moreover, you could make non-verbal communication with your beloved children whenever you are proficient in understanding the invariable and universal meanings of hand gestures.

Most parents make a serious mistake not concentrating on the ever-changing posture, attitude, and behavior of their teens. Consequently, it creates a long distance between them. Even sometimes they lose authority over the teenagers. We hope you’re not the same.

However, you will be glad to hear that we’re going to represent you up to 40 teenage hand signals and what they mean with pictures. You had better gain full command over these gestures to ensure the optimal wellbeing of your beloved teens.

teenage hand signs and what they mean

Discovered 40 Hand Signs and What Teen Meaning

Now, we’re set to walk through some of the most common and used hand signs. We’ve accumulated both safe and daunting signals in order that you could realize the sentiment, approach, and intention of your child. Try to grab each of the following short descriptions to raise your teenagers in a strict, confined, and cordial environment.


The heart is the most popular and familiarized sign around the world. Its meaning is eternally positive. This expression refers to love and friendship with others. So there is nothing to worry about if your teenager often shows it.

The teens tend to expose this gesture whenever they fall in love with someone. Aside from a person, they might fall in love with an object, scenery, multimedia, costume, and anything else, especially what is worth having extreme affection. The sign was first demonstrated by the American singer Taylor Swift.

I Love You

I love you is a self-explanatory sign. Its meaning is similar to a heart sign. Teenagers are prone to flashing this sign to express their love, feeling, and fondness.

It’s an innocent gesture; therefore, the younger prefer to use it to bring out the words that are going on in their mind. It’s easy to decode and comprehend. The sign is taken from the American Sign Language.

Peace Sign

Peace sign always implies peaceful phenomena. It’s a common fixture for teenagers. They are inclined to show this sign frequently to express the stature of their quietness and happiness. Even the composure and maturity are also exposed through the peace sign.

The gesture was used by the protesters who were against the Vietnam War. Since then, it becomes in vogue around the world. The young children seized it to spread the message of peace and unity.

Two Fingers Peace Sideways

What does two-finger sideways mean? The sign of peace sideways indicates the same as the peace. But it’s a more urban form of the actual peace sign. It’s originally used to draw the special attention of somebody.

Teenagers love to flash this sign whenever they find someone to their liking. It’s definitely a good sign. So you can be pleased by noticing such a positive sign in your teenagers.

Two-Finger Salute

The two-finger salute is mostly considered to be equivalent to two-finger peace. But it’s totally different in both expression and meaning. The back of fingers is seen in this sign, whereas the peace sign shows the front side.

On the other hand, it stands for optimal loyalty and obedience to someone. To illustrate, a waiter uses this sign to convey the best respect to the VIPs. By the way, the sign always bears unquestionable implications.

V Sign

V sign features numerous meanings, depending on the nature of the show. Gesturing V sign by holding two fingers forwards or backward simply stands for victory. It actually highlights the strength and power of someone.

But it has naughty intent as the kids have changed the original meaning of the sign. Teenagers usually express this sign as suggestive of oral sex. It’s alarming; so if you somehow observe this sign in your child, you may need to take proper action to rescue them from bad habits.

Fist Bump

A fist bump is another most-used hand gesture. It has an exclusive meaning and it’s obvious to all. The sign is used to share greetings with others. This teen hand signal is also applicable to elder people.

The use of this gesture was begun long before. But luckily, its meaning hasn’t altered through the generations. Rendering greetings is always positive, so no need to be frustrated if your teenagers have firmly captured it.

Hole Sign

The “hole” sign is not appreciated by sensible people. That’s because they understand the negative meaning of this sign. But their conception is quite wrong. The sign refers to a silly game that teenagers normally play.

They interchange a particular message with this sign at the time of playing. It appears to be a trend in the young generation to play the circle game that is expressed through the hole sign.

Two Fingers Together

Two fingers together is a creative sign. It’s comprehensively used in practical life to reveal one’s shyness. When the teenagers feel bashful to express what they are thinking, they feel free to use this sign.

Moreover, it’s applied to share one’s emotions whenever he or she is busy with works. As it means pretty innocent, you may stay calm if you discover the sign in your teen.

Hook ‘Em Horns

The word is not as mischievous as it sounds. You don’t need to intimidate your teenagers if they show this sign. This hand sign’s meaning is very pure and simple. It’s just a sign of having a good time.

Anyone can pass good time all along and expose this sign. In a word, the sign stands for the term “rock on”. It’s used at concerts, parties, and other occasions. And the gesture can catch others’ attention at ease.

Middle Finger Sign

The middle finger is one of the most common teen hand signals. Its meaning is obscene and officious. You may be concerned about your teenagers in case they tend to display such a nasty gesture. It means to threaten violent sexual penetration.

To illustrate, the sign gives the expression of displeasure, rage, protest, and excitement. You need to take special care of your children to bring them back on the right track whenever they tend to show such negative signs.

Loser Hand Sign

The loser sign is familiar to all. You may also know this since it widely used around the world for decades. The younger have possessed this sign subtly to humiliate others. It specifically indicates someone who is a loser. But people in Chain used this signal to show the number 8. The word “L” refers to the loser.

This sign is made with the thumb and index finger. The palm faces the observer. You may think of the sign either as positive or negative. But the kids tend to use it negatively most of the time.

The Shocker

The shocker is a gesture that represents a sexual act. It’s known as “two in the pink, one in the stink”. This sign is used by the man to stimulate sexually a woman. In this gesture, the index and middle fingers are inserted into the vagina.

The pinky finger is put into the anus while other fingers are extended. If you notice this nasty sign in your young boy, you may be anxious about his overall lifestyle and moralities since it’s always pinpointed to be the worst sign.

You Ate It

It’s not a threatening sign. Instead, the gesture may give your teenagers some fun and entertainment. It’s a creative posture- some teens put their hands to their forehead to express this sign.

Indeed, it’s a sort of game that is played in middle and high school. The game is played collectively. Your kids may attempt to play it at home sometimes. You can inspire them to get engaged in it since they will never get destructed through it.

Smoking Weed Hand Sign

Smoking weed is a detrimental sign for your teenager. This hand sign meaning is always frightening for you as it explicitly informs your teen’s involvement with the smoke weed.

To show this sign, they place their thumb and forefinger together holding a joint. The other three fingers are triggered up in the air. They pretend to take a hit bringing the joined two fingers to the mouth.

Drinking Alcohol Hand Sign

It’s another heinous gesture of your teens. You need to decode the sign as soon as possible for the betterment of your children. Whenever they get addicted to alcohol, they become accustomed to flash such gestures.

In fact, they give signals to others for drinking alcohol. In this posture, they hold the little finger up, and the thump point toward their mouth. The other three middle fingers are curled inward to indicate drinking from a bottle.

Come Here Hand Sign

The sign of coming here is very formal. Barring a few countries, it’s used positively to call someone. An index finger is curved toward the palm to show this gesture. But the teens may use this sign to call others inferior or animalistic since the gesture is considered offensive in several regions.

To understand whether your teens using it positive or negative approach, you may read their sentiment and attitude while they are expressing it. If they are in a rough and violent mind, then surely they are showing a negative vibe.

Call Me Sign

There is no one who doesn’t know the meaning of this sign. This unique sign is used all over the world to interpret a vibe of friendliness and closeness. Practically the sign resembles a handheld telephone and implies the intent of talking over the phone.

The little finger pointed at the mouth and the thumb held near the ear in this gesture. It’s common to the young generation. So you may feel relaxed if you inspect this hand gesture in your teens. Need to mention that, the Call me sign is also known as the Shaka sign.

Ice in My Veins

Using this hand gesture, the teens imply their maturity, boldness, and calmness. It predominantly explains something reliable and trustworthy. The younger use it to show others that they can stay cool under extreme pressure. It also refers to the ability to handle tough situations.

The professional sportsman reaches out to this sign to tell something deeper about themselves. In this gesture, they check their pulse and convey utmost honest to their followers. It may indicate something negative as well. But the implication varies from person to person. Above all, you can take it positively.

PLUR Hand Signs

Among all the hand signs, the PLUR sign deserves the best compliment because of its impressive meanings. The acronym stands for peace, love, unity, and respect. How do you feel if your teens are obsessed with these pathological words?

Of course, you will become highly pleased with your teenagers. You may imitate your kids if they show this sign in front of you. It’s often used at several festivals and raves in various communities. This inclusive sign needs to express in different steps.

OK Sign

OK, a sign that has both positive and negative meanings. From a positive perspective, it expresses agreement and compliance. If you’re living in the United States, then this implication is well fit for you.

So you no need to be impatient if this gesture exists in your teens. But if you’re living in Greece, Brazil, or Spain, then it can be trembling for you since it means calling someone an asshole. It signals zero or nothing in some western countries as well.

Pinky Up

Pinky up has multiple meanings. It’s hard to realize a specific conclusion. However, generally, you may consider it imitating drinking tea. If you see your teens continuously raising their pinky up, you can perceive they have new ladies in their life as well.

It also implies something fancy in several countries. The affection to the women can also be expressed through this gesture. There might be many more rude and unusual meanings that we don’t know.

Crossed Fingers

You may have seen crossed fingers sign around you countless times. That’s because it’s an ordinary gesture and everyone loves to use it. The meaning of this indication is really appreciable. It’s used to wish for good luck.

So if your teens may use it to wish their friends or beloved people. You can become happy to see your kids reacting generously with others. But keep in mind that, it’s regarded as extremely insulting manners in various countries.

The Fig Sign

You can ensure that your teenagers are led astray whenever they frequently show the fig sign. The meaning of this gesture is severely obscene. Through this signal, an individual implies the point of penetrating a penis into the female genitalia.

Furthermore, it’s used to insult others, deny a proposal, and ward off the evil eye. It’s shown wedging thumb in between two fingers in a closed fist. The offensive meaning of this gesture may tease girls; therefore, you need optimal endeavor to bring your teenage son back on the right track.

Four Fingers Up Hand Signs

Four fingers up hand signs can also be found in modern teenagers. Generally, football players hold up four fingers to inform the spectacles that they are going to win the match in the last quarter. The teens use it to indicate their interest in something. And the desired object can be either legal or illegal.

As a whole, the gesture is considered to be negative whenever a young boy or girl exposes it. It can be an exhibition of self-destructive habits. So you might keep sharp eye on them if they usually express such gestures.

Finger Gun

A finger gun is a violent and awkward hand sign. It’s a common hand gesture to teenagers. Particularly, the signal indicates the sense of wanting to commit suicide. When a boy or girl gets stunningly depressed and feels apathy to lead a normal life, they tend to show such an alarming sign.

To express such posture, they use their hand to mimic a handgun. That’s why it’s addressed as the finger gun. As it’s interpreted as a treat, you may ensure optimal safety for your teens if you somehow notice the sign.


Wanker gesture genuinely refers to one’s willingness of masturbating. The sign is often seen to the young boys. At one period, the teenage sons get engaged in masturbation. It can be for either deliberate or inciting reasons.

Sometimes, they turn it into a habit and ruin their health. By curling the fingers into a loose fist and moving the hand up and down, they express the intention of masturbation. But the gesture has different meanings in various countries. It might imply a failure or waste in several regions.

Praying Hands

Now it’s time to talk about an amenable and loyal gesture. Praying hands, the most used gesture of begging pardon, relieve, regret, surrender, and many more well-affected objectives. Holding two hands at chest or head level, bowing head towards the hands, and keeping elbows against the side, this gesture is made.

During the religious prayers, this expression is followed among all the religious groups. If you notice your teenagers expressing themselves like this, you can be glad as they are being obedient and devoted.

Eyelid Pull

Eyelid pull is another good sign that you might find in your teenagers. This gesture signifies alertness to escape from any hazardous situation. By pulling the lower eyelid further down and pointing one forefinger to a specific thing, they give an alarm to others.

The sign indeed reveals the responsibility, integrity, liability, and other moral qualities of the teenagers. So you should not look down upon your teens if you inspect this gesture in them.

ILY Sign

It’s an American sign language. The sign consists of the letters I, L, and Y. It’s an informal expression of love, affection, and sympathy. Teenagers tend to show this gesture to their beloved people.

By stretching the thumb, little, and index finger, they inform other of their love. The middle and ring finger need to be touched the palm to signifies the expression thoroughly.

Money Gesture

Money is one of the salient reasons for conflict between parents and teenagers. The teens use this sign to speak about money. Hence, it’s commonly known as the “Pay Me” gesture.

By rubbing their thumb over the tips of the index finger and middle finger, they indirectly ask for money. This gesture is also expressed with the act of running coins. Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean they are involved in robbery or theft. It’s a fair sign and comprehensively used around the world.

Talk to The Hand

Talk to the hand is an English language expression. The teens always pose it on social media. It’s a sign of contempt and distaste. If they dislike someone, they apply this gesture to identify the person.

It’s exposed by extending a palm towards the person, they hate most. In addition, this sign is inclusively used to insult an individual. In case your teens show it towards you, it means there is a substantial gap between you and your children.

Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down

These are the most common gestures. Aside from teenagers, mature people also use these signs to make the right direction. A thumbs-up sign refers to the approval of specific things while a thumb down infers disapproval.

By extending the thumb upward and downward, these signs are made. For realizing the mind of your teenagers, you need to get through these gestures with much enthusiasm.

Hands Up

A hands-up sign is not only employed to arrest the convict but also to express one’s vulnerability. Teenagers expose this gesture while they surrender to their friends or anyone else.

This sign is not a threat, rather than it refers to positive intent. By lifting both hands, one gives in at the time of their despondent. To be honest, the utility of this gesture is applied to all the countries across the world. Your teens may show this sign in front of you if you try to capture them for any reason.


Applause is a sign of advocacy, approval, and positive intent. It’s trendy and used widely. This expression is made by clapping the hands together. By creating repetitive staccato noise, one appreciates a definite action. It’s a sign of unity and cooperation.

The younger people prefer to admire others’ deeds by this sign. By the by, your teens may be accustomed to appreciating your works through this sign. You can give them back to win over their heart and make a solid bond.


The PIV sign can be referred to as sex. It symbolizes the eagerness of sexual acts. By demonstrating this gesture, one indirectly expresses that he wants to enter his penis into a vagina. It’s an obscene posture and irritating for others. The sign is exposed by making a circle with the index finger and thumb in one hand.

By inserting the index finger of another hand into the circle, one tries to convey the sexual proposal. The repetitive motion of this sign may bring tough situations for the young boys in several restricted areas.


Whatever sign is used in movies and dramas. The children are inclined to imitate this gesture to signal something annoying and useless. Typically, this sign is applied to determine something that doesn’t worth the time and energy.

Furthermore, it’s an exposure of disinterest to anything. This gesture is made with the thumb and forefinger of both hands. It resembles the letter “W”. You may notice this signal in your teens if you forcefully impose work on them.

Suck It Sign

Although the “suck it” sign is used by several wrestling groups, it has been in vogue nowadays to young children. Its meaning is simple but significant. The sign can express hundreds of words at ease.

In order to express superiority over others, this gesture is formally used. It’s all about forming the letter “X”. Holding hands over the groin area, anyone can make this sign to prevail over others. You may frequently see your teens flashing this sign to give a message to anyone else.


Zoltan is a conventional hand signal. It’s accessible and accepted to all walks of life. Even public figures, religious gurus, political leaders, and other prominent personalities use this sign. That’s because it’s a sign of faith, reliance, and credit.

It’s formed by placing the tip of one thumb on top of the other and opening the palms of both hands. Demonstrating the sign of Zoltan is all about making the letter “Z” with both hands.

Open Palms

The open palms hand signal meaning is psychological and subconscious. It’s used to convey compliance, openness, and trust. Undeniably, it’s one of the best forms of body language.

The act of this sign is correspondent to its term. It’s just opening the palms of one’s hand to show interest and appreciation. Your teens may imitate this gesture to imply their pleasure, liking, innocence, and freedom.

Guidance For Parents

It’s a paramount duty for every parent to keep sharp eye on the lifestyle, gesture, sentiment, and behavior of their child. They are responsible to keep teenagers away from bad habit or act that can affect their character.

Teenagers tend to express messages through some bodily actions, in particular the hand signals. And the signs can bear different contexts in different circumstances. They might try to express their arrogance, rudeness, intention, anger, as well as kindness. But the parents need to realize the real meanings.

As you’re noticing a radical change in the hand movement of your teenagers, you need to respond to wisely and comprehend what they actually want to express. However, as of now, you’ve been informed of up to 40 teenage hand signs and what they mean with pictures. So you can apply the acquired knowledge in your real life to realize the intent of your teenagers.