käsnaga

Käsnaga is an Estonian term that translates as "with a sponge." It is the instrumental form of the noun käsn (sponge) and marks the instrument or means by which an action is performed. In Estonian, the suffix -ga is used to express "with" or "by means of," and käsnaga is one of several instrumentals formed from concrete objects.

Usage and formation: Käsnaga is used in sentences to indicate that a sponge is the tool employed for an activity. It is common in cleaning, dishwashing, and cleaning surfaces, as well as in crafts or medical contexts where a sponge is used to apply liquids or substances. The typical construction includes a verb of action followed by the noun in the instrumental form, for example: ma pesen nõusid käsnaga (I wash the dishes with a sponge).

Context and nuance: Käsnaga is a literal and factual expression, with little or no idiomatic meaning beyond indicating the instrument. It is a standard, neutral term in everyday Estonian and illustrates how the language marks tools or means by adding the -ga suffix to a noun.