Signification
To do nothing when action is needed.
Contexte culturel
In Finland, silence is often valued, but 'istua käsiensä päällä' is a negative term because it violates the 'talkoot' spirit of helping others. Flat hierarchies in Finnish companies mean that even junior employees are expected to take initiative. Sitting on one's hands is seen as a lack of professional growth. The phrase is frequently used in the Nordic Council to criticize member states that are slow to implement environmental regulations.
Master the Suffix
Always check who the subject is. If you say 'Hän istuu käsieni päällä', it means he is sitting on YOUR hands!
Don't use for laziness
If someone is just lazy on the sofa, use 'laiskotella'. Use this idiom only if there's a task they *should* be doing.
Signification
To do nothing when action is needed.
Master the Suffix
Always check who the subject is. If you say 'Hän istuu käsieni päällä', it means he is sitting on YOUR hands!
Don't use for laziness
If someone is just lazy on the sofa, use 'laiskotella'. Use this idiom only if there's a task they *should* be doing.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'käsi' with the appropriate possessive suffix.
Minä en halua enää istua ________ päällä, vaan haluan auttaa.
Since the subject is 'Minä' (I), the suffix must be '-ni'.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
Milloin joku 'istuu käsiensä päällä'?
The idiom refers to inaction when action is needed.
Complete the dialogue.
Pomo: 'Miksi projekti ei edisty?' Työntekijä: 'Koska markkinointitiimi vain...'
This explains why the project is stalled due to inaction.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesMinä en halua enää istua ________ päällä, vaan haluan auttaa.
Since the subject is 'Minä' (I), the suffix must be '-ni'.
Milloin joku 'istuu käsiensä päällä'?
The idiom refers to inaction when action is needed.
Pomo: 'Miksi projekti ei edisty?' Työntekijä: 'Koska markkinointitiimi vain...'
This explains why the project is stalled due to inaction.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
2 questionsIt is critical, but not vulgar. It's appropriate for professional settings if you need to point out a problem.
Yes, 'Hän istui käsiensä päällä' is very common when reviewing past failures.
Expressions liées
pyöritellä peukaloitaan
similarTo twiddle one's thumbs.
seistä tumput suorina
synonymTo stand with mittens straight.
tarttua toimeen
contrastTo take action / get to work.
