Herrliche

Herrliche is a German adjective derived from the base herrlich, meaning glorious, magnificent, or splendid. It is used to describe things that are strikingly beautiful, impressive, or of high quality. The word can function attributively before nouns and changes its ending according to gender, number, and article.

Etymology and history: The adjective traces back to Old High German herrlîh (or similar forms) and is related to concepts such as nobility or lordliness, later broadening to denote splendor and magnificence. Over time, herrlich expanded from a somewhat formal or elevated register to common usage in everyday and literary language.

Usage and inflection: Herrliche appears in the feminine singular before a noun (die herrliche Aussicht) and in the plural before a noun (herrliche Tage) or with definite articles in other cases. Other inflected forms include herrlicher (masculine), herrliches (neuter), and the accompanying adverbial forms. The word is frequently used in descriptive phrases describing landscapes, architecture, events, or experiences that evoke admiration.

Translations and scope: In English, herrlich translates as glorious, magnificent, splendid, or superb, depending on context. It carries a positive, elevated nuance and is common in prose, poetry, travel writing, and promotional language. It can appear in both literal and figurative senses, from a “herrliche Aussicht” to a figurative “herrliche Zeiten.”

See also: German adjectives with similar meaning include prächtig, prächtig, glänzend, and großartig. The term is part of a broader tradition of descriptive praise in German, often intensifying the subject’s perceived beauty or importance.