freundschaftlich

Freundschaftlich is a German adjective and adverb derived from Freundschaft (friendship) with the suffix -lich. It roughly corresponds to “friendly” or “amicable” and is used to describe behavior, relationships, or agreements that emphasize cordiality and goodwill rather than formality or coercion. As an adverb, it can indicate that something is done in a friendly or amicable manner.

In everyday language, freundschaftlich describes tone and interaction as well as relations between people. Examples include freundschaftliche Beziehungen (amicable or cordial relationships), freundschaftlicher Umgang (friendly dealings), or eine freundschaftliche Einladung (informal, friendly invitation). In legal or administrative contexts, the term appears in phrases such as freundschaftliche Einigung or freundschaftliche Trennung to denote informal, mutually agreed settlements or separations, typically aimed at avoiding litigation or formal contracts.

Etymology-wise, the word combines Freundschaft with the suffix -lich, a common German formation that yields adjectives meaning “having the characteristics of” or “related to.” The term is widely used in German-speaking countries across both spoken and written registers.

Common contrasts exist with similar terms: freundlich generally denotes courtesy or kindness in a broad sense, while freundschaftlich emphasizes the relational quality of friendship or a cooperative, non-adversarial approach. Freundschaftlich usage can thus signal a positive, cooperative stance in personal relations as well as in informal dispute resolution.

See also: Freundschaft; freundschaftliche Beziehung; Einigung; Trennung.