Kursive

Kursive is a term used in German to describe both cursive handwriting and italic-style typefaces. In handwriting, Kursive refers to the connected, flowing script used for rapid writing, as distinct from the upright, block-like print known as Druckschrift. In typography, Kursive can denote italic or cursive-style letterforms, typically slanted to the right and used for emphasis or stylistic effect.

Terminology and history are tied to German script traditions. Historical German cursive includes Kurrentschrift and, later, Sütterlinschrift, which were taught in schools before Latin-based handwriting became standard. Today, most German handwriting uses a modern Latin cursive form, while historical scripts are primarily of academic or archival interest.

Usage in modern contexts varies. In professional typography, the term Kursiv or Kursivschrift is more common for italic styles in German, whereas Kursive is often encountered as a broader label in educational or historical discussions. Digital fonts usually label the feature as Italic, with Kursive appearing in German-language resources to reference the cursive/italic concept rather than a specific font family.

See also: Italics, Cursive writing, Kurrentschrift, Sütterlin.