käsikäes

Käsikäes is an Estonian phrase meaning "hand in hand." It denotes close cooperation, solidarity, or joint action. The expression is figurative: it describes people or groups working together in a coordinated way, sharing responsibility and supporting one another to achieve a common goal.

Etymology: The term combines käsi, meaning hand, with the component -käes, forming a fixed idiom. The literal sense is that hands are together, reinforcing the image of unity. As with many idioms, it functions as a metaphor rather than a literal description.

Usage: In Estonian, käsikäes is used in everyday speech and formal writing to emphasize collaboration. It can describe partners executing a project, communities facing challenges, or individuals supporting one another in social initiatives and campaigns. It is commonly encountered in political discourse, education, and media when promoting teamwork and solidarity.

Regional and cross-linguistic notes: The phrase is characteristic of Estonian idiomatic expression. A cognate exists in Finnish: käsi kädessä, with the same meaning. In other languages, equivalents include "hand in hand" in English. The concept is widely used to express cooperation, unity, and mutual support.