artig

Artig is a German adjective meaning well-behaved, well-mannered, or obedient. It is most commonly used of people, especially children, but can also describe animals or behavior that follows rules or expectations. In everyday speech, artig signals approval or praise, as in Du bist artig or Sei doch artig! The opposite form unartig means mischievous or badly behaved.

As a descriptive term, artig emphasizes social norms and orderliness more than moral virtue. It connotes polite conduct and compliance with expectations rather than personal courage or virtue. The expression is common in family life, schools, and children’s literature, and it is generally used in informal to semi-formal registers. In formal contexts, alternatives like anständig or brav may be preferred depending on nuance.

Etymology: The exact origin of artig is uncertain. Some etymological sources tie it to older Germanic roots related to order, suitability, or proper behavior, but there is no single agreed-upon derivation. The word has remained part of standard German since the early modern period and persists in contemporary usage.

See also: unartig, brav, anständig.