Höfische

Höfische is an archaic German adjective meaning "of the court" or "courtly," used to describe behavior, language, and culture associated with royal or noble courts. The term is commonly found in discussions of medieval and early modern German literature and history and is closely linked to the concept of höfische Kultur, as well as to genres such as höfische Dichtung and Minnesang.

Etymology and attestations derive from the noun Hof, meaning court, with the standard adjectival suffix -isch. It is attested in Middle High German and Early New High German. In scholarly and literary usage, the form hofisch or höfisch appears in compounds and phrases describing courtly life and manners.

Usage and scope: Höfische denotes a ceremonial, refined, and often formal or artificial demeanor characteristic of court life. It is used in phrases such as höfische Etikette (court etiquette), höfische Sprache (courtly language), and höfische Dichtung (courtly poetry). A central element is the tradition of courtly love as depicted in höfische Dichtung, reflecting ideals of chivalry, politeness, and ritual exchange at noble courts.

Modern status: The term is largely historical or literary in contemporary German. Everyday language prefers höflich or, in broader contexts, höfisch only in academic or stylistic discussions. In scholarship, höfische is encountered when examining medieval culture, literature, and the social codes of courtly life.