Herzliches

Herzliches is the neuter singular inflected form of the German adjective herzlich, which means warm, cordial, or heartfelt. It is used primarily in attributive position before neuter singular nouns to convey sincere warmth or earnest sentiment, and it appears in common fixed phrases such as ein herzliches Willkommen or unser herzliches Beileid.

Grammatical usage and forms vary with article and number. Before a neuter singular noun with an indefinite article, the form appears as ein herzliches …, for example ein herzliches Willkommen. With a definite article, the form is das herzliche …, as in das herzliche Beileid. Before feminine or plural nouns, other inflected forms are used, such as herzliche Grüße for a plural noun like Grüße. In everyday language, herzlich is often used adverbially without the -es form, especially in phrases like herzlich willkommen, where herzlich modifies the following adjective or nominal expression.

Common collocations and examples. The phrase herzliches Beileid is widely used in condolences, corresponding to “heartfelt condolences.” Ein herzliches Willkommen is typical in hospitality or invitation contexts, meaning a warm welcome. Herzliche Grüße, another frequent greeting, uses the related feminine/plural form herzliche.

Etymology and semantics. The adjective derives from Herz (heart) with the suffix -lich, yielding a sense of being from the heart or genuinely felt. It denotes sincerity, warmth, and friendliness in interpersonal communication and formal writing.

Usage notes. Herz, herzlich, and herzliche/herzliches appear across formal letters, speeches, and everyday speech. While sehr ähnlich to synonyms like warm or freundlich, herzliches emphasizes genuinen warmth and emotional sincerity in a specific nominal context.

See also. Herzlichkeit; herzlichkeit; synonyms: warm, cordial, sincere; related phrases: herzliche Grüße, herzlich willkommen.