A1 Idiom Neutral

jemandem die Hand geben

shake someone's hand

Meaning

To greet or make an agreement by grasping hands.

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Cultural Background

A firm handshake is a sign of honesty and reliability. Handshakes are becoming common in business but bowing is still the primary greeting. Always use the right hand, as the left is traditionally considered unclean.

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Dative Case

Always remember that 'geben' requires the dative case for the person receiving the hand.

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Eye Contact

In Germany, looking away during a handshake is considered rude.

Meaning

To greet or make an agreement by grasping hands.

💡

Dative Case

Always remember that 'geben' requires the dative case for the person receiving the hand.

💬

Eye Contact

In Germany, looking away during a handshake is considered rude.

Test Yourself

Fill in the correct dative pronoun.

Ich gebe ____ die Hand.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ihm

Dative masculine is 'ihm'.

Which is correct?

Select the correct sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gebe ihm die Hand.

Dative is required.

Match the meaning.

Match 'Hand geben' to its context.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Greeting

It is a social gesture.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Nice to meet you!' B: '____'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gebe Ihnen die Hand.

Appropriate response.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

Practice Bank

4 exercises
Fill in the correct dative pronoun. Fill Blank A1

Ich gebe ____ die Hand.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ihm

Dative masculine is 'ihm'.

Which is correct? Choose A2

Select the correct sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gebe ihm die Hand.

Dative is required.

Match the meaning. Match A1

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Greeting

It is a social gesture.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: 'Nice to meet you!' B: '____'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gebe Ihnen die Hand.

Appropriate response.

🎉 Score: /4

Frequently Asked Questions

6 questions

Yes, it is very appropriate for professional settings.

No, it is used for everyone regardless of gender.

You can nod or wave, but it might be seen as unusual in formal settings.

They are related, but 'Handschlag' is the noun for the act.

No, a hug is 'umarmen'.

No, it is a physical action.

Related Phrases

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Handschlag

synonym

Handshake

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Die Hand reichen

similar

To offer a hand

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Hand drauf!

builds on

Deal!

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