Großherzig

Großherzig is a German adjective meaning magnanimous or generous in spirit, especially in a moral or emotional sense. It describes a person who acts with generosity, forgiveness, and nobility of heart, rather than that person’s material generosity alone.

Etymology and nuance: The word is a compound of groß “great” and herzig (related to Herz, “heart”), highlighting a large-hearted character. It appears in Early Modern German and has retained its moral emphasis. In contemporary usage it is somewhat formal or literary and is often found in descriptive or evaluative contexts rather than everyday casual speech.

Usage and examples: Großherzig is used to praise benevolent or forgiving behavior, for example: “Er zeigte sich großherzig, indem er die Schuld des anderen nicht anlastete.” It can describe actions (eine großherzige Geste) or dispositions (großherzige Haltung). The term conveys inner virtue and moral stature, and its sense goes beyond mere financial generosity to include nobility of character and mercy.

Related terms and alternatives: Related concepts include großzügig (generous in a practical sense), freigiebig, and edel; the noun form is Großherzigkeit (magnanimity). In modern language, großherzig is often reserved for formal or literary contexts; in everyday speech it may be replaced by grobzügig or herzlich, depending on nuance.