käsin

Käsin is a Finnish adverb meaning “by hand” or “manually.” It indicates that an action is performed without mechanical aid, relying on human effort rather than machines. It is commonly used with verbs to specify manual execution, for example: “kirjoitan käsin” (I write by hand) or “teen tämän käsin” (I do this by hand).

In addition to describing actions, käsin can appear in phrases that describe the origin of objects, such as “käsin tehty” (handmade) or “käsin neulottu” (knit by hand). It contrasts with terms for machine-made, such as “koneellinen” or “koneella.” The word tends to appear in everyday language, crafts, and instructional contexts, where emphasis on manual effort is relevant. In more formal or technical contexts, speakers might opt for alternatives that highlight machine involvement or neutral wording.

Etymology and usage notes: käsin is derived from käsi (hand) and functions as an adverbial expression signifying manual action. While common in ordinary Finnish, it is less typical in highly technical writing, where more specific terminology may be preferred. Related concepts include käsityö (craft or handiwork) and phrases such as käsin kirjoittaminen (handwriting) and käsin tehty työ (work made by hand).