hövligt

Hövligt is a Swedish word that functions as an adverb meaning “in a polite and courteous manner.” It can also appear as an adjective in phrases such as hövligt bemötande, where it describes the quality of behavior rather than a person. The noun form hövlighet denotes politeness or civility, and hövlig is the related adjective describing someone’s courteous character.

Usage and register: Hövligt is relatively formal or literary and is more common in written Swedish or formal speech. In everyday conversation, speakers often use synonyms like artigt or vänligt to express similar ideas. The phrase hövligt uppförande refers to courteous conduct, while a person can be described as hövlig, meaning they behave in a polite and well-mudured way. The term is typical in discussions of etiquette, education, or public behavior.

Etymology and related terms: Hövligt is closely linked to hövlighet, the noun for politeness, and to the adjective hövlig. The word has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as German höflich, reflecting shared linguistic roots in describing courteous behavior.

Examples: Det vore hövligt av dig att öppna dörren. Han svarade hövligt och lugnt. Ett hövligt bemötande kan underlätta en konstruktiv dialog. Medier och officiella sammanhang använder ofta hövligt språk för att upprätthålla en respektfull ton.

See also: Artighet, Höflighet, Civilitet, Etikett.