How to say "gesture" in Japanese

• 仕草しぐさCommon
  nounCovers small gestures and movements that express feeling or intention, often a person's characteristic mannerisms or behavior. Typical of describing someone's hand movements, facial signals, or endearing little actions.
  そのしぐさで観客かんきゃくは笑わらい出だした。↗

  The gesture fetched a laugh from the audience.
• ジェスチャーCommon
  nounThe direct borrowing for gesture as deliberate, often hand-based communication, such as waving, thumbs-up, or explaining by movement. The natural choice when the English word means expressive signaling rather than general behavior.
  ジェスチャーは彼かれらに使つかわれていない。↗

  Gestures are not used by them.
• 身振りみぶりJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers gesturing and gesticulation: movements of the body, especially with the hands or head, used to express or communicate. Common in the paired sense of accompanying speech with animated motions.
  彼かれはもう我慢がまんがならないという身振みぶりをした。↗

  He made a gesture of impatience.
• 動作どうさJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounPrimarily means movement of the body, action, or motion; 'gesture' is only a secondary gloss. Best when the focus is on how a body moves or performs an action, not on expressive signaling.
  彼かれは動作どうさがぎこちない。↗

  He is awkward in his movements.
• 所作しょさCommon
  nounRefers to movements, carriage, and bearing — the way one carries out actions, often with an eye to grace or proper manner. Seldom the word for a single communicative gesture; it really concerns overall deportment.

Use 「ジェスチャー」 for communicative hand or body movements, 「身振り」 for gesturing as expressive motion, 仕草 for small expressive behaviors, 動作 for bodily movement or action generally, and 所作 for mannerly carriage.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 仕草しぐさgesture
• ジェスチャーgesture
• 身振りみぶりgesture
• 動作どうさmovement (of the body)
• 手真似てまねgesture
• ゼスチュアgesture
• 表意ひょういexpressing one's intent
• 手振りてぶり(hand) gesture
• 所作しょさmovements
• パフォーマンスsomething done (just) for show