Politely

Politely is the adverb of polite. It describes actions or speech carried out with courtesy, tact, and consideration for others, in line with social norms of good manners. It can serve to soften requests, show respect, or reduce the likelihood of offending someone.

Common uses include making requests politely ('Could you please pass the salt?'), offering refusals politely ('I’m afraid I can’t'), and giving feedback or criticism in a tactful way. The adverb often accompanies verbs of saying or doing—speaking politely, behaving politely, listening politely. Politeness strategies include hedges, indirect questions, apologies, and expressions of gratitude.

Cultural variation: Politeness norms differ by language, culture, and context. Directness might be valued in some settings, while indirectness and ceremonial forms matter in others. Misunderstandings can arise when translations or cultural cues are mismatched.

Etymology and related terms: Politely comes from polite, which in turn derives from Old French polit, from Latin politus meaning polished. Related terms include politeness, courteous, and courteously; antonym is rudely or bluntly. The term is used in general descriptive contexts and has no intrinsic moral value; its appropriateness depends on context.