Bedeutung
A traditional gesture for greeting.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Handshaking Line' (kätlemisliin) is the most famous part of the President's Independence Day reception on February 24th. Millions watch as hundreds of guests 'annavad kätt' to the President. In rural areas, a handshake is still considered as binding as a written contract. If you 'annad kätt' on a price for hay or timber, you cannot change it later. Younger Estonians are moving towards more casual greetings like 'high-fives' (laks) or fist bumps, but 'kätt andma' remains the default for meeting anyone older or in a position of authority. It is considered polite to wait for the host or the person of higher status to initiate the 'kätt andma'.
Eye Contact
Always look the person in the eye while giving kätt. Looking away is seen as dishonest.
The Threshold Rule
Never shake hands through a doorway. Step inside first!
Bedeutung
A traditional gesture for greeting.
Eye Contact
Always look the person in the eye while giving kätt. Looking away is seen as dishonest.
The Threshold Rule
Never shake hands through a doorway. Step inside first!
Firmness
Estonians hate 'dead fish' handshakes. Keep it firm but not aggressive.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of 'käsi' in the idiom.
Tere! Kas ma tohin teile ______ anda?
The idiom 'kätt andma' always uses the partitive case 'kätt'.
In which situation is it NOT okay to 'kätt anda'?
Vali vale olukord:
Shaking hands over a threshold is a cultural taboo in Estonia.
Complete the dialogue.
Müüja: 'Auto hind on 3000 eurot.' Ostja: 'Hästi, ______!'
'Anname kätt' (Let's shake hands) is used to seal a deal.
Which verb is a synonym for 'kätt andma' in a formal context?
Vali õige verb:
'Kätlema' is the formal verb for the act of shaking hands.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to 'Kätt Andma'
Formal
- • Job Interview
- • Business Meeting
- • Diplomatic Event
Social
- • Introductions
- • Weddings
- • Graduations
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenTere! Kas ma tohin teile ______ anda?
The idiom 'kätt andma' always uses the partitive case 'kätt'.
Vali vale olukord:
Shaking hands over a threshold is a cultural taboo in Estonia.
Müüja: 'Auto hind on 3000 eurot.' Ostja: 'Hästi, ______!'
'Anname kätt' (Let's shake hands) is used to seal a deal.
Vali õige verb:
'Kätlema' is the formal verb for the act of shaking hands.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenIn a formal Estonian setting, yes. It is polite to go around and 'kätt anda' to everyone.
Yes, absolutely. In business, it is standard for everyone. In social settings, a woman usually initiates.
Because 'andma' requires the partitive case for this specific idiomatic expression of a gesture.
You can, but it might seem a bit formal or funny. Friends usually just say 'Tere' or hug.
Apologize and say 'Vabandust, mul on käed märjad.' Do not offer a wet hand.
Verwandte Redewendungen
kätlema
synonymTo shake hands (the verb form)
käsi peseb kätt
similarOne hand washes the other
käppa andma
specialized formTo give a paw
käed rüpes istuma
contrastTo sit with hands in lap
