gebaren

Geberen is a Dutch noun (singular gebaar) meaning a gesture or sign produced by the body, especially the hands or face, used to convey meaning nonverbally. Gebaren are a fundamental component of everyday communication and can accompany spoken language or stand alone in situations where speech is difficult. They include movements such as pointing, waving, a thumbs-up, facial expressions, or symbolic signs, and can vary by culture and context. In Dutch, phrases such as "met een gebaar" (with a gesture) or "zonder gebaar" (without a gesture) describe how information is conveyed nonverbally.

In German, the cognate Gebaren is typically used in the singular das Gebaren meaning "manner" or "bearing"; a plural form Gebaren is uncommon and mainly appears in literary or formal contexts. It denotes the way a person or group behaves, often with a critical or descriptive tone, as in "sein Gebaren" (his manner of acting).

Usage considerations: Gebaren overlaps with body language and nonverbal communication and is studied in linguistics and anthropology. In sign languages, gestural elements form essential components of communication, though such languages are full lexical systems rather than generic gestures.

See also: body language, nonverbal communication, sign language, gestures.