friedlich

Friedlich is a German adjective meaning peaceful, tranquil, or non-violent. It describes states, actions, or attitudes that avoid conflict or aggression. The term is commonly used for atmospheres (a peaceful climate), relations (a peaceful coexistence), or decisions (a peaceful settlement). It can also function as an adverb in phrases such as Der Protest verlief friedlich.

Etymology and form: friedlich derives from the root frid, peace, found in older Germanic languages, together with the suffix -lich, which forms adjectives. The related noun Frieden means peace. The word is used across various registers, from everyday speech to formal writing, with nuance emphasizing absence of violence or disruption.

Usage and examples: friedlich is widely used to describe social and political contexts as well as environments and behavior. Examples include friedliche Demonstrationen (peaceful demonstrations), eine friedliche Lösung (a peaceful solution), and friedliche Koexistenz (peaceful coexistence). The adverbial use Der Prozess verläuft friedlich is common in journalism and commentary. In contrast to terms like gewalttätig (violent) or kriegerisch (warlike), friedlich signals nonviolence, calm, and harmony.

Related concepts: The word appears in combinations and compounds such as friedliche Beziehungen, friedliche Verhandlungen, and friedlicher Widerstand (nonviolent resistance). It is often paired with Frieden (peace) in discussions of diplomacy, conflict resolution, and international relations. While primarily a descriptive term, friedlich also conveys normative wishes for stability and non-conflict.