hjertelig

Hjertelig is a common term in Danish and Norwegian that functions as an adjective meaning heartfelt, sincere, or cordial. It is frequently used to convey warmth or genuine sentiment in both speech and writing. In many fixed phrases it acts as an intensifier, for example hjertelig takk (heartfelt thanks), hjertelig velkommen (a warm welcome), and hjertelig til lykke (heartfelt congratulations). In letter writing, the closing formula med hjertelig hilsen or med hjertelige hilsener is widely used to express sincere regards.

Etymologically, hjertelig derives from the word for heart, hjerte, combined with the suffix -lig, which forms adjectives meaning “like, of” or “characterized by.” The construction thus roughly conveys something done “from the heart.” The word has cognates in other North Germanic languages; Swedish has hjärtlig with a similar meaning, while Norwegian and Danish spellings are identical in modern usage.

In Danish and Norwegian, hjertelig is used both attributively before nouns (as in hjertelig takk) and predicatively within fixed expressions that express warmth or sincerity. The plural form takes the ending -e in adjectives before plural nouns (hjertelige hilsner, hjertelige ord). While highly common in everyday language, hjertelig appears most naturally in cordial or formal contexts such as greetings, thanks, and closings, rather than in purely casual speech where softer intensifiers may be preferred.

Translations include heartfelt, sincere, and cordial, with nuances varying slightly by context.