10 Emoji Meanings That Vary Drastically Across Cultures

Why Emoji Meanings Matter

Emojis have become a universal language in digital communication, but their meanings are far from universal. A gesture that seems perfectly innocent in the United States could be deeply offensive in Brazil, and a smiley face might convey very different emotions in Japan compared to Europe.

1. The Thumbs Up 👍

In Western countries, the thumbs up emoji is a universally positive gesture meaning "good job" or "I agree." However, in parts of the Middle East, West Africa, and South America, this gesture can be considered rude, equivalent to raising your middle finger in Western cultures.

2. The OK Hand Sign 👌

While Americans use this to mean "everything is fine," in Brazil and some Mediterranean countries, this gesture is considered vulgar. In Japan, it can represent money (the shape of a coin).

3. The Folded Hands 🙏

Many Westerners interpret this as a "high five" or "prayer." In Japanese culture, it represents a bow of gratitude or apology, a much more formal sentiment than a casual high-five.

4. The Smiling Face 😊

In China, this emoji is sometimes used sarcastically or to express disdain, particularly among younger users. What might seem like a warm smile could actually convey passive-aggressive undertones in certain contexts.

5. The Waving Hand 👋

A friendly hello or goodbye in most Western cultures, but in some Asian cultures, this waving motion can be interpreted as "come here", a gesture typically reserved for calling animals in some regions.

Tips for Cross-Cultural Emoji Use

• When in doubt, use text. If you're unsure how an emoji might be interpreted, spell out your meaning instead.
• Research your audience. Before sending emojis to international colleagues, take a moment to understand their cultural context.
• Use our Emoji Translator. Kulturely's tool can help you understand how specific emojis are perceived in different cultures.