behaaglijk

Behaaglijk is a Dutch adjective meaning pleasant, agreeable, or comfortable, used to describe environments, atmospheres, weather, or conditions that evoke ease and contentment. It conveys a sense of cosiness and ease without necessarily implying social warmth.

In practice, it often describes a setting that feels easy to be in: a warm room, a gentle breeze, or mild temperatures. The term is somewhat formal or literary and is more common in written Dutch than in casual speech; in everyday conversation speakers may prefer knus or gezellig for similar senses.

Behaaglijk temperatures or weather phrases include 'behaaglijke temperaturen' or 'behaaglijk weer' meaning pleasantly mild or agreeable weather. A 'behaaglijke woning' or 'behaaglijke woonkamer' refers to a home that is comfortable and inviting.

Origin and usage notes: the adjective derives from the noun behagen (pleasure, satisfaction) with a suffix that yields 'behaaglijk' meaning 'pleasing, agreeable.' The form is related to 'behagelijk,' and spelling and use vary with dialect and era. The word is relatively formal and appears more in descriptive or literary contexts; in everyday speech speakers may opt for synonyms such as aangenaam, comfortabel, or knus.

See also: gezellig; knus; aangenaam; comfortabel. Examples: The living room with a fireplace creates a behaaglijke atmosphere. The afternoon sun made the garden feel behaaglijk.