delikatnie

Delikatnie is a Polish adverb meaning "gently" or "delicately." It describes the manner in which an action is performed, signaling care, tact, or subtlety. It can modify verbs directly, refer to physical actions, or appear in phrases that soften statements or instructions.

Etymology: It derives from the adjective delikatny (delicate). The adjective itself comes from Latin delicatus, via the French délicat, and the adverbial form delikatnie is standard in Polish, with no gender or number variation.

Usage and examples: Delikatnie otwierał drzwi. (He opened the doors gently.) Proszę mówić delikatnie. (Please speak gently.) Delikatnie mówiąc, to nie był dobry pomysł. (To put it delicately / To say it mildly, it was not a good idea.) Delikatnie obchodzić się z porcelaną. (Handle porcelain delicately.)

Nuances: Delikatnie emphasizes tact or physical gentleness and is commonly used in everyday speech as well as in journalism or formal writing to soften a statement. It contrasts with łagodnie (mildly, in a milder, less precise sense) and with ostrożnie (carefully, cautiously) in contexts where tact or sensitivity is important rather than mere caution.

See also: The adjective form delikatny and translations such as "gently" or "delicately" in English.