gesto
nounCEFR B2
What does “gesto” mean in English?
gesture — a body movement conveying meaning; also a kind or symbolic act
gesture — a body movement conveying meaning; also a kind or symbolic act (gesto de amabilidad; hacer un gesto)
Example sentences
Un simple gesto de amabilidad puede marcar una gran diferencia en el día de alguien.
A simple gesture of kindness can make a great difference to someone's day.
El portavoz hizo un gesto de negación con la cabeza antes de responder a la pregunta.
The spokesperson shook their head in a gesture of denial before answering the question.
Liberar a los presos políticos sería un gesto de buena voluntad que facilitaría las negociaciones.
Releasing political prisoners would be a gesture of goodwill that would facilitate negotiations.
How to use it
El gesto (noun, masculine) has two core B2 meanings: (1) a body movement or facial expression conveying meaning (lenguaje gestual; hacer un gesto), and (2) a symbolic or kind act (un gesto de amabilidad/solidaridad). Key collocations: hacer un gesto; gesto de buena voluntad; gesto simbólico; lenguaje de gestos. Distinguish from señal (signal, sign) and movimiento (movement). In politics, un gesto diplomático is very frequent.
Common mistake
Hacer un gesto (not *dar un gesto) is the correct verbal collocation. Do not confuse gesto (gesture/act) with mueca (grimace) — mueca is specifically a facial distortion. The phrase in un gesto de (as a gesture of) is followed by a noun, not a verb: un gesto de apoyo (not *un gesto de apoyar).