Latvian

Žests

Noun

žests m (1st declension)

1. gesture, sign (meaningful movement, especially of one's hand or head)

   pavēles žests‎ ― commanding gesture

   teatrāls žests‎ ― theatrical gesture

   žestu valoda‎ ― sign language

   “vai jums ir sieva?” es jautāju Kamarā; “nav”, viņš atbild, ar žestiem pasvītrodams savus vārdus‎ ― “do you have a wife?” I asked Kamars; “no,” he answered, underlining his words with gestures

   pabeigts žests sākas ar domu un arī beidzas ar to‎ ― a complete gesture begins with a thought and also finishes with it

   patika arī diriģenta žests: atturīgs, savaldīgs, precīzs‎ ― the (orchestra) conductor's gestures also pleased: aloof, self-controlled, precise

   viņa nošķobīja lūpas un, mēteli ar ierastu žestu atsituši, atkrita solā‎ ― she twisted (her) lips and, throwing off (her) coat with a habitual gesture, fell on the bench

   aktrise runā viegli, un arī rokas, tik kustīgas un graciozas, allaž piedalās čalojošā sarunā ar bezbedīgiem žestiem‎ ― the actress speaks easily, and also (her) hands, so mobile and graceful, always participate in the garrulous conversation with light-hearted gestures

2. (figuratively) gesture (an act, action with a certain meaning, that shows a certain attitude)

   draudzīgs žests‎ ― a friendly gesture

   cēls žests‎ ― a noble gesture

   zēns izrāva lielo “Rīgu” un piedāvāja visiem... uz kapteini šis žests, acīm redzot, atstāja labu iespaidu‎ ― the boy pulled out a big “Rīga” (pack of cigarettes) and gave (cigarettes) to everyone... this gesture clearly left a good impression on the captain

Declension

Related terms

• žestikulēt