Do you know what these emoji really mean? Popular characters have VERY different meanings in other cultures and countries - take the test to see if you're interpreting them correctly

Whether it's a cheeky aubergine or a friendly smiley face, emoji now form a staple part of many of our daily conversations.

However, experts have revealed that several popular characters have very different meaning in other cultures and countries. 

From the seemingly innocent 'hotel' to the enigmatic 'sign of the horns', you might be surprised to learn how common emoji are interpreted around the world.

Noël Wolf, a linguistic expert at language learning platform Babbel, told MailOnline: 'People can attach all sorts of different second meanings to these little pictures.'

So, do you know what these common emoji really mean? Scroll down for the answers!

Sign of the horns 

If you're a rock fan, then you might be fairly sure you know exactly what the 'horns' hand sign stands for. 

Although its exact origins are a matter of debate, the gesture has been synonymous with rock and metal since Black Sabbath popularised the sign in the 1970s and 80s. 

However, in many parts of the world, holding out your index and little finger might carry a very different meaning. 

Mrs Wolf says: 'In some Mediterranean and Spanish speaking countries, including Italy, Portugal and Mexico, this gesture pointed towards an individual can be taken implying somebody is a cuckold. 

'This has linguistic roots as the words in these countries’ languages for somebody who has been cheated on are linked linguistically to the word for horns, such as the word "cornuto" in Italian.'

Steam 

While a cultural misunderstanding can often be embarrassing, some commonly mistaken emoji are actually quite innocent.

For example, the pictogram showing red, wavy red lines rising from a circle might seem like a baffling choice.

But in Japan, the meaning of this common emoji would be instantly recognisable.

Mrs Wolf says: 'As emoji originate from Japan, where they were invented by Shigetaka Kurita in the late 90s, some of the pictograms represent objects or concepts from Japanese culture.'

This strange emoji is actually meant to represent the steam rising off of an 'onsen', a traditional Japanese hot spring bath. 

In Japan, the symbol is used on maps to indicate the locations of the popular public baths.  

Swirl 

Another emoji with a distinctly Japanese origin and meaning is the swirling pink and white circle.

Although this symbol might not be familiar to many in the West it is actually a meal-time staple for many in Japan. 

This emoji is meant to represent the narutomaki, a type of fish cake with a distinctive swirled pattern.

A popular topping for ramen, this emoji is often used to mean eating or a meal. 

Love Hotel

However, not all commonly mistaken Japanese emoji have such innocent meanings.

A particularly notable example is the bright pink emoji for 'love hotel'.

Depending on your device, this emoji will appear as a large pink building with either a heart or the letter 'H' on the front.

This has led many to mistakenly believe that this is a symbol for a hospital or means 'get well soon'.

However, this symbol actually represents a type of hotel which can be hired by the hour.

In Japan, these 'love hotels' are a much more recognisable cultural reference which is missed by many foreign emoji users.

Person tipping hand  

While the meaning of emoji varies from place to place, they can also change dramatically based on the age of their users.  

For example, the 'person tipping hand' emoji might be more familiar to older users as a sign for an assistant or helpful individual.

Mrs Wolf explains: 'Originally designed to represent a person working at an information desk, it was approved as part of the Unicode standard in 2010 with the name "information desk person". '

However, over time the meaning of this emoji has changed through use to become something quite different.

Younger tech users would probably be more familiar with the symbol as representing sassiness or sarcasm due to the resemblance of somebody who has just flipped their hair smugly over their shoulder.

Tea  

British readers might be mistaken in thinking there is only one possible way of understanding 'tea'.

However, across different cultures and generations, this simple symbol has taken on a totally different meaning.

To many people, tea now means 'gossip' or truth as in the phrase 'spill the tea' which can mean to tell open up about a secret or tell the truth.

But while the term is now used very widely by many in Gen Z, it actually has its origins in America's black drag queen community.

The term is still used in gay culture but thanks to the popularity of shows like Ru Paul's Drag Race the term has spread widely through social media.

And, as this new meaning caught on, the humble 'tea' emoji also began to take on the same meaning.

Ms Wolf writes: 'Some of the unexpected double meanings that are accelerated on social media might be baffling to older generations who are not up to date with the latest developments on these platforms.'