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
'Handschlag' and 'Händedruck' usually mean the same gesture: two people shake hands, for example as a greeting, as a farewell, or to confirm an agreement. 'Händedruck' often describes the physical gesture in particular and can also say how firm or friendly it seems. 'Handschlag' also fits for the gesture, but it is also often used when an agreement is confirmed with it. The words are easy to confuse because they are interchangeable in many situations.
Beim Termin begrüßt Frau Wagner den Kunden mit einem freundlichen Händedruck.
At the appointment, Ms. Wagner greets the customer with a friendly handshake.
Der Vertrag ist noch nicht geschrieben, aber der Handschlag gilt für beide.
The contract has not been written yet, but the handshake counts for both of them.