höflicher

Höflicher is the comparative form of the German adjective höflich, meaning more polite. It is used to compare levels of courtesy or to describe behavior that shows greater politeness than another reference point. In sentences of comparison, höflicher appears with als, as in Er ist höflicher als ich. In attributive position, the adjective is declined to agree with the gender, case, and article of the noun; for example der höflichere Mann (the more polite man) when the definite article is used. In predicative position, one can say Er ist höflicher. The superlative form is am höflichsten.

Etymology and meaning: höflich derives from historical Germanic forms linked to courtly behavior at a hof (court). The sense evolved from “courtly” or “polite in formal contexts” to the broader everyday meaning of courteous and well-m mannered conduct in modern German.

Usage notes: Höflicher emphasizes a relative degree of politeness compared with someone or something else. It is common in everyday language, service interactions, and analyses of manners or tone. While the basic meaning is universal, nuances can vary with context, tone, and formality. The noun form höflichkeit (politeness) is often used when discussing social norms rather than describing a person directly.

Overall, höflicher functions as the standard German comparative adjective for describing someone or something as more polite, with its superlative am höflichsten and related noun höflichkeit.