Have you wondered what are ’emojis’? We have the solution. We explain what the ’emojis’ – or emoticons – of the popular instant messaging application WhatsApp are, with a complete guide on their meaning.

# 1. What re emoticons?

Emoticons – or emojis – are non-alphanumeric symbols (not composed of numbers and letters) that are used in message texts. These are the many smileys, hearts and various symbols, which have exploded with the mass spread of instant messaging, led by our beloved WhatsApp. The emoticons allow you to give a tone and an emotion to the message, both if you want to communicate a feeling and if you want to understand the state of mind that hides behind simple written words which, otherwise, may not be able to communicate that. that we have in mind.

# 1.1. How are they used?

Well, there are no strict rules for using emoticons. Each has its own style, which changes in relation to the recipient of the message. Two boyfriends, for example, will use WhatsApp emojis differently than two friends, just as the symbols that a mother will use with her daughter will be different.

Inserting an emoticon in a message is very simple: just activate the emoji keyboard by clicking on the world icon at the bottom right of the WhatsApp keyboard keys. The process is the same on iPhone, Android and other devices. At this point, the first screen of the emoticons will automatically open, where the most recently used ones are collected. To find the others, just scroll through the various categories and choose the one we prefer.

Each emoticon has its own meaning, which can change – obviously – based on the context in which it is used. Below, here is a complete dictionary with the meaning of all WhatsApp emoticons, translated into Italian by the Spanish portal tecnoxplora.com.

#2. Complete dictionary of WhatsApp emoticons

Here is a complete list of WhatsApp emoticons and their meanings *.

* at the bottom you will find the new emoticons 2015 and 2016

PEOPLE

1 to 4: kisses for different people and different occasions

From 5 to 7: stick out your tongue to indicate that you are joking

From 8 to 12: smiles of different types, to express joy or fun

13: wink

14: in love

15: surprised and a little shocked

16: laughter

17: sad and thoughtful

18: relieved

19: an ironic thank you, for something that has been done

20: disappointed

21: perseverance (something went wrong, but it doesn’t matter)

22: sad

23: cry with laughter

24: very very sad, cry out loud

25: asleep

26: disappointed, but relieved (from the drop that falls on the forehead)

27: with cold sweats

28: something like “well, thank goodness, what a relief”

29: worried

30: defeated, paralyzed, about to throw in the towel due to fatigue

31: tired (similar to the previous one but less dramatic)

32: fear and ‘shock’

33: fear

34: angry

35: very very angry, red with anger

36: arrogant gesture

37: confusion

38: another way to laugh

39: Delicious!

40: sick and contagious (“I’m staying at home now”)

41: I’m wearing sunglasses, I’m fresh and on vacation

42: sleep

43: dizziness

44: go out of your mind

45: moderately worried

46: sadly surprised

47: Very sadly surprised (“I didn’t expect this from you”)

48: I’m bad, bad, I like getting into trouble

49: I’m bad and vindictive

50: surprised or shocked (no negative connotations)

51: unpleasant, possibly uncomfortable laugh

52: speechless

53: confusion (“I don’t understand”)

54: freaking out

55: maybe I quit

56: me? But if I am an angel!

57: inadequacy or contempt. Arrogant and impertinent gesture (“baby, I’m your father”)

58: flat face (“I have nothing to say about it”)

59: Asian, like the traditional Chinese hat Pi Gua Mao

60: an Indian with a turban

61: the police

62: construction worker

63: The typical English guard who cannot move

64: newborn

65: child

66: girl

67: man

68: woman

69: elderly

70: elderly

71: blonde with blue eyes

72: an angel (if you add an arrow, it could be Cupid)

73: princess

74-82: kitten smiling (x2), loves, kisses (x2), smiles threateningly, gets scared, cries sadly, cries with laughter, is angry

83: Japanese demon (called Oni)

84: another Japanese demon (this is called Tengu)

85: Mizaru, the premiere of ‘The Three Wise Monkeys’ Japanese “. I prefer not to look.

86: Kikazaru, the second of the Japanese ‘The Three Wise Monkeys’. I prefer not to hear.

87: Iwazaru, the third of Japanese ‘The Three Wise Monkeys’. I prefer not to speak.

88: skull

89: alien

90: poop with eyes (one of the most characteristic WhatsApp emoticons)

91: fire

92: sparks

93: a bright star

94: a shooting star

95: collision, shock (comic style)

96: anger (comic style)

97: sweating

98: a drop of rain

99: Zzzzz

100: typical symbol that expresses movement (although often used to symbolize … er … farts)

101: ear (“I’m all ears”)

102: eyes (“I’m looking at you”)

103: a nose

104: one language

105: a rather suggestive mouth (everyone thinks what they want)

106: yes (“I agree, I like it”) or victory

107: rejection or defeat

108: “ok”

109: “You’re about to take a punch …”

110: The fist of “paper, scissors and stone”

111: the sign of victory. Scissors in the “paper, scissors and stone” game

112: give me five

113: Alt. Card in the game “paper, scissors and stone”

114: open hands

115-118: pointing finger (pointing up, down, right and left)

119: celebrate a victory

120: apologize, pray

121: “I am number one”

122: applause

123: show of force

124: a walk

125: a race

126: Seville, a WhatsApp classic

127: a heterosexual couple

128: a traditional family

129: a gay couple

130: a lesbian couple

131: a heterosexual couple kissing

132: a heterosexual couple in love

133: two dancers

134-145: a woman gesticulates to say “ok”, points to say “a”, “no” or “it’s not out there,” give an explanation, trying to get someone’s attention, getting a massage, cutting hair, nail polish, wedding dress, surprised or confused, disappointed

146: a repentant man asks for forgiveness

147-168: clothing (hat, crown, pamela, sneaker, men’s shoes, sandals, high-heeled shoes, polo shirt with tie, women’s shirt, women’s tank top, jeans, kimono, bikini, briefcase, purse, handbag, purse, sunglasses sun, tie)

169: umbrella closed

170: lipstick

171-175: yellow heart (pure, true, honest love), blue (sad), purple (forbidden love), green (envy), red (passion)

176: Heartbreak p

177: “every time I want more”

178: the heart beats with love

179: two hearts

180: heart (?)

181: “Love is in the air”

182: Cupid’s arrow with heart

183: a love letter

184: a kiss

185: a ring

186: a diamond

187: a profile (type of social network)

188: two profiles (type of social network)

189: comic (comic style)

190: footprints

191: the thought (comic style)

NATURE

Animals: dog, wolf, cat, mouse, hamster, rabbit, frog, tiger, koala, bear, pig, pig nose, cow, boar, monkey face, monkey, horse, sheep, elephant, panda, penguin, bird, face chick, chick, hatching chick, chicken, snake, turtle, caterpillar, bee, ant, ladybug, snail, octopus, shell, tropical fish, common fish, dolphins, whales releasing a whale jet cow, sheep, mice, buffalo, tiger, rabbit, dragon, horse, goat, rooster, dog, pig, mouse, ox, dragon face, puffer fish, crocodile, camel, dromedary, leopard, cat, poodle, dog footprints

Plants: bouquet, cherry blossom, tulip, clover, rose, sunflower, hibiscus, maple leaf, wind blown leaves, fallen leaves, grass, rice, mushroom, cactus, palm, evergreen, deciduous tree chestnut seedling, flower

Planets, suns and moons globe with parallels and meridians, the sun with the moon, face, new moon face, new moon, visible new moon, first quarter, waxing moon, full moon, waning, waning, moon, waning with face crescent moon, crescent moon, globe with Africa and Europe, globe with America, Asia and Oceania

Natural and meteorological phenomena: volcano, Milky Way, Shooting Star, star, sun, cloudy sun, clouds, storm, rain, snow, snowman, cyclone, fog, rainbows, wave.

EVENTS AND OBJECTS

1: Typical Japanese decoration that is placed on the doors for the new year, known as Kadomatsu

2: curor-shaped box

3: typical Japanese dolls (Hinamatsuri)

4: School backpack

5: graduate hat

6: Japanese flags known as Koinobori, raised on Children’s Day (May 5th)

7-8: fireworks

9: Japanese decoration known as Furin (wind chime)

10: Japanese Tsukimi party (contemplation of the moon)

11: Halloween Pumpkin

12: ghost

13: Santa Claus

14: Christmas tree

15: Gift

16: Wishes Hanging on Bamboo Trees During Japanese Tanabata

17-18: party, celebration, confetti

19: Balloons

20: Two crossed Japanese flags

21: Crystal ball

22-38: Technology -> camcorder, digital camera, camcorder, VHS, CD, DVD, Minidisc, diskette, desktop, smartphone (suspiciously like iPhone), old telephone, handset, an old telephone, beeper, fax, TV , Old TV, old radio

39-42: loudspeaker with high volume, low volume, on, off

43: bell

44: bell without sound

45: Speaker

46: megaphone

47-48: hourglasses

49: wake up

50: clock

51-54: Various padlocks (privacy symbols in a message), with a key

55-77: Objects → key, magnifying glass (right), the light bulb, flashlight, high brightness, low brightness, the plug, battery, lens (left), bathroom, bathroom with someone in the bathroom, shower, toilet, wrench, nut and bolt, hammer, door, burning cigarette, bomb, pistol, machete, pill, syringe

78-84: Money → purse with money (dollars) banknotes (yen, dollars, pounds and euros), credit card, flying money

85-104: Inbound communications on cellphone, email, inbox, outbox, over, sending mail, inbox, Horn, mailbox full, mailbox empty, mailbox full open, mailbox open empty

105-136: Office & School → note or document, page, explain, marks on a paper chart, bar chart, ascending chart, downtrend chart, scroll, clipboard, calendar without rings, calendar with rings, holder paper, folder, open folder, scissors, pin, a clip, black tip, pencil, red book ruler, green book, blue book, orange book, squared notebook, beige book, ledger, stack of books, open book, bookmark , tag

137: Microscope

138: telescope

139: newspaper

140: palette

141: Slate

142-151: Musical instruments → microphone, headphones, sheet music, musical notes, multiple musical notes, keyboard, violin, trumpet, saxophone, guitar (or bass)

152-177: Games and Sports → alien, video game console, a joker, Japanese playing letter Hanafuda, Mahjong, date, destination, oval football, basketball, soccer ball, baseball ball, tennis ball, ball pool, ball rugby and bowling, holes, mountain biking, cycling, checkered flag (motorsport), horse racing, trophy, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, surfing, fishing

178-236: food and drink → hot drink (could be coffee), hot green tea cup, milk bottle, baby bottle, beer mug, two beers, cocktail, tropical drink, wine glass, knife and fork, pizza, Burger, French Fries, Chicken Leg, Piece of Meat, Spaghetti, Rice with Curry, Fried Shrimp, Bento Box, Sushi, Vinegar, Rice Ball, Rice Cake, Cooked Rice, Steaming Noodle Plate, Stew, Oden, Dango , frying an egg in a pan, bread, donut, pudding, ice cream, ice cream, slush, birthday cake, piece of strawberry cake, cookie, chocolate bar, candy, lollipop, honey jar, red apple, green apple , orange, lemon, cherries, grapes, watermelon, strawberries, peaches, melon, banana, pear, pineapple, sweet potato, eggplant, tomato, corn

Buildings: house, garden, school, office, post office, hospital, bank, 24 hour shop, love hotel (Japanese things), hotel, church celebrate a wedding, church, shopping mall, office.

PLACES

Postcards: sunset, cityscape, Japanese castle, European castle, Tokyo Tower, silhouette of Japan, Mount Fuji, mountain at sunrise, sunrise at sea, starry night, Statue of Liberty, bridge at night, horseback, ferris wheel, fountain, roller coaster.

Transportation: sailing, boating, boat, anchor, rocket, airplane, helicopter, train locomotive, tram, tram stop, mountain railway station, trains, TGV, Japanese Shinkansen train, light rail, subway, monorail, tram carriage , train car, tram, bus, small car, small car front, auto, taxi, taxi front, articulated lorry, truck, police car light, police car, front police car, fire truck, ambulance, minibus, bicycle , funiculars, suspended trains, cable car, tractor

Signs: at the bus stop, entrance, vertical traffic light, horizontal traffic light, warning sign, signal building, Wakaba (a sign with new drivers in Japan), gas station

Misc: Izakaya flashlight, slot machine, a hot drink or food sign, Moyai statue, circus tent, performing arts, red push pin, triangular red flag

Country flags: India, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Indonesia, Argentina, United States, Turkey, Holland, Russia, Malaysia, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Nigeria, Hong Kong , Israel, Switzerland, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, France, Canada, Thailand, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Japan.

Emoticons 2015

New smileys …

With one the possibility to choose (just long click on the emoticon).

New animals.

New items.

New flags

New emoticons 2016

Before moving on to the 2016 emoticons, a small clarification on the operation on the iPhone and Android operating system.

For iPhone : the integration of new Whatsapp emoticons in the keyboard depends on the operating system, so the new special characters will be able to update iOS and not the application. So, the new emoticons will be available for all applications, not just for Whatsapp.

For Android : here it is exactly the opposite. The update of the special keyboard characters is only related to the WhatsApp application. So, just do the Whatsapp update to have them all.

Here are the new Whatsapp 2016 emoticons : clown, pregnant woman, face with nausea, wasp (scooter), selfie, shrug, face with long nose (liar), face drooling, face that rolls and laughs, face with cold , mum natal, crossed fingers, croissants and many more.