Brief Description
You repeatedly or singly lower and raise your head, moving your chin along the vertical axis (up and down).

What does it mean?
In most cultures of the world, this is a signal of agreement, approval, understanding, or confirmation. It means: "Yes," "I agree," "I understand," "Go on," "That's right." However, the tempo and amplitude of the nods can radically change the meaning:
1. A single slow, deep nod (the head lowers noticeably, with a pause) — emphatic, conscious agreement, often after an important argument. Sometimes means "I have accepted your point of view."
2. Two or three calm nods of medium amplitude — standard "yes," "I understand," support for the interlocutor's speech. In Russian dialogical culture, this is encouragement to continue speaking.
3. Frequent, fast, small nods (like "pecking") — a classic signal: "I understand, you can wrap it up," "Hurry up, I don't have much time," "Yes, yes, yes, speak faster." Often perceived as impolite rushing.
4. Very slow, rare nods with a fixed gaze — the interlocutor pretends to listen but is actually "nodding automatically" without taking it in. In Russian tradition, this is called "nodding out of politeness."
5. A nod combined with simultaneous raising of the eyebrows — agreement with a shade of surprise or approval ("Oh, now that's a professional approach!").
6. A nod with lowered eyes and a slight forward lean of the torso — agreement with a shade of submission, respect for an elder or a superior.
In Russian tradition, the nod is the primary non-verbal marker of agreement. Unlike in some cultures (e.g., Bulgarian, where a nod can mean "no"), in Russia it is unambiguous. Accelerated nodding (frequent, small) usually irritates the speaker, as it is read as "you are rushing me" or "I am not interested, finish up." In official settings (meetings, receptions with a superior), fast nods from a subordinate signal a desire to please or to leave quickly. In friendly conversation, slow nods create a feeling of attention and trust. A fixed expression: "to nod one's head" (to agree), "to nod understandingly." Important: if the interlocutor stops nodding altogether, this is often a signal of disagreement or loss of interest. In Russian judicial and official practice, a nod has no legal force, but in everyday life it replaces a verbal "yes."