person shrugging
Unicode: 1F937
Description
A person shrugging their shoulders, arms bent at the elbows, hands open. The emoji can be expressed in various genders.
Group:
People & Body > person-gesture
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Typically represents uncertainty, indifference, confusion, resignation, or a lack of knowledge/care. It signifies 'I don't know,' 'Who cares?', or 'It is what it is.'
Backstory
This emoji was introduced in Unicode 9.0 in 2016. The shrug gesture has long been a common non-verbal communication for expressing uncertainty or indifference, and its digital representation quickly gained popularity.
Usage Examples
- When asked a question you don't know the answer to: 'Where did I put my keys? 🤷'
- Expressing indifference: 'Should we go out or stay in? 🤷'
- Showing resignation: 'Well, it's raining again. 🤷'
- When you can't be bothered: 'I've tried everything; I give up. 🤷'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Widely understood across Western cultures as a universal gesture for 'I don't know' or 'What can I do?'
Global usage:
The gesture is recognized globally, making the emoji highly versatile and widely understood for conveying a sense of helplessness or lack of information.