behändig

Behändig is an adjective used in German and Swedish to describe something or someone that is easy to handle, practical, or convenient. In both languages, the term is commonly applied to tools, devices, and procedures that invite straightforward, efficient use, as well as to people who possess good manual skills. In German, behändig often connotes a sense of user-friendly design and fluency in handling a task, while in Swedish it similarly denotes ease of use and compact usefulness. The nuance is more about practicality and manageability than about sophistication or extravagance.

Etymology and nuance: the word is linked to the concept of the hand and dexterity. In German, behändig derives from behände, with the related noun Behändigkeit meaning dexterity or deftness. This connection explains why the term can describe both objects that are easy to manipulate and persons who perform manual tasks with skill. In Swedish, the origin mirrors the same hand-oriented idea, reinforcing its meaning of convenience and controllability.

Usage and examples: common collocations include behändiges Werkzeug (a handy tool), behändig zu führen (easy to handle), and eine behändige Bedienung (a convenient operation). Synonyms in German include handlich, praktisch, leicht zu bedienen, and geschickt for different shades of meaning. In Swedish, synonyms include praktisk, lättanvänd, and smidig. The word is generally neutral and widely understood in everyday language, though in some German contexts it may come across as somewhat formal or literary.

See also: dexterity, handiness, usability.