handshake
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handshake
The mutual grasping and brief shaking of hands, usually as a gesture of greeting, farewell, or to confirm an agreement.
Der Vertrag wurde mit einem festen Händedruck besiegelt.
The contract was sealed with a firm handshake.
The word is made up of 'Hände' (plural of hand) and 'Druck' (pressure). So it literally describes the pressure that arises when hands are clasped.
Ein guter Händedruck sollte nicht zu fest und nicht zu schwach sein.
A good handshake should be neither too firm nor too weak.
In German-speaking countries, the handshake is a very common and important gesture. It is used for greetings and farewells in formal and informal situations, as well as to seal agreements.
Zur Begrüßung gab der Chef jedem Mitarbeiter die Hand.
As a greeting, the boss shook each employee's hand.
A handshake is often described more precisely with adjectives. Common combinations are 'ein fester Händedruck' (a firm handshake), 'ein kurzer Händedruck' (a brief handshake), or 'ein herzlicher Händedruck' (a warm handshake).
Er begrüßte mich mit einem warmen und festen Händedruck.
He greeted me with a warm and firm handshake.
handshake
Both words refer to clasping and shaking each other’s hands. „Handschlag“ can additionally mean a greeting or the confirmation of an agreement as a social gesture, while „Händedruck“ focuses more strongly on the physical pressure. „Handschlag“ is especially suitable for an agreement being sealed, while „Händedruck“ is used for the movement of the hands.
Der feste Händedruck des Verkäufers bestätigte ihre mündliche Vereinbarung.
The seller’s firm handshake confirmed their verbal agreement.
Mit einem Handschlag besiegelten die beiden ihre mündliche Vereinbarung.
The two of them sealed their verbal agreement with a handshake.
