A1 Idiom ニュートラル

Kätt pesema

To wash hands

意味

Both literal and avoiding responsibility.

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文化的背景

Estonians are generally direct, but 'kätt pesema' is a way to be indirectly critical of someone's character. In professional settings, transparency is valued. Washing one's hands is seen as a major red flag for leadership. Because Estonia was heavily influenced by Lutheranism, biblical idioms are deeply embedded in the secular language. Estonian 'cancel culture' often uses this phrase when influencers distance themselves from controversial partners.

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Use 'puhtaks'

If you want to sound like a native when using the idiom, always add 'puhtaks' at the end of the phrase.

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Singular vs Plural

Use 'kätt' (singular) for the idiom mostly, but 'käsi' (plural) for actual washing in the bathroom.

意味

Both literal and avoiding responsibility.

💡

Use 'puhtaks'

If you want to sound like a native when using the idiom, always add 'puhtaks' at the end of the phrase.

⚠️

Singular vs Plural

Use 'kätt' (singular) for the idiom mostly, but 'käsi' (plural) for actual washing in the bathroom.

🎯

The 'From' Case

Always use the -st ending for the thing you are washing your hands of (e.g., skandaaliST, projektiST).

自分をテスト

Täida lünk sobiva sõnaga (kätt/käsi/puhtaks).

Ma pesen oma käed sellest skandaalist ______.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: puhtaks

In the figurative idiom, 'puhtaks' is used to show the hands are now 'clean' of the mess.

Vali õige tähendus.

Mida tähendab 'kätt pesema' poliitikas?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Poliitik ei taha vastutada.

In politics, it almost always refers to avoiding responsibility.

Ühenda lause ja kontekst.

Match the sentence to its context.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: A-1, B-2

Sentence A is about eating (hygiene), B is about a 'mess' (avoiding responsibility).

Lõpeta dialoog.

Jüri: 'Kas sa aitad mul seda viga parandada?' Mari: 'Ei, see oli sinu idee. Mina ______.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: pesen kätt

Mari is refusing to help with a mistake, so she 'washes her hands'.

🎉 スコア: /4

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練習問題バンク

4 問題
Täida lünk sobiva sõnaga (kätt/käsi/puhtaks). Fill Blank B1

Ma pesen oma käed sellest skandaalist ______.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: puhtaks

In the figurative idiom, 'puhtaks' is used to show the hands are now 'clean' of the mess.

Vali õige tähendus. Choose A2

Mida tähendab 'kätt pesema' poliitikas?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Poliitik ei taha vastutada.

In politics, it almost always refers to avoiding responsibility.

Ühenda lause ja kontekst. Match A1

左の各項目を右のペアと一致させてください:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: A-1, B-2

Sentence A is about eating (hygiene), B is about a 'mess' (avoiding responsibility).

Lõpeta dialoog. dialogue_completion B1

Jüri: 'Kas sa aitad mul seda viga parandada?' Mari: 'Ei, see oli sinu idee. Mina ______.'

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: pesen kätt

Mari is refusing to help with a mistake, so she 'washes her hands'.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

4 問

It can be. If you say it about yourself, it's defensive. If you say it about someone else, it's often a criticism of their cowardice.

No, for dishes we use 'nõusid pesema'.

In Estonian idioms, the singular partitive is often used for body parts even if we have two of them.

Literally, no. Idiomatically, 'käsi puhtaks pesema' (plural) is slightly more common in modern speech.

関連フレーズ

🔗

vastutust võtma

contrast

To take responsibility

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käsi puhtaks pesema

similar

To wash hands clean

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vastutust veeretama

similar

To roll responsibility (onto someone else)

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puhas leht

builds on

A clean slate

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käed rüpes istuma

similar

To sit with hands in lap

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