kedvesen

Kedvesen is a Hungarian adverb meaning kindly, in a kind or courteous manner. It is formed from the adjective kedves (dear, kind) by adding the adverbial suffix -en, and it is used to describe how an action is performed or how someone speaks or behaves. The word is most common in written language, formal speech, or contexts that require politeness; it is less frequent in casual, everyday conversation.

In usage, kedvesen modifies verbs or predicates to convey a courteous tone. For example, A recepciós kedvesen fogadta a vendégeket, meaning “The receptionist greeted the guests kindly.” Another example is A dolgozók kedvesen és tisztelettel beszéltek a vendégekkel, translated as “The staff spoke to the guests kindly and respectfully.” Kedvesen can also appear in descriptions of demeanor or attitude, such as A levelezésben kedvesen fogalmazott, meaning “In the correspondence, the wording was kindly phrased.”

Distinction from kedves as a form of address: kedves is also used directly before a person’s name (for example, Kedves Anna) to mean “Dear Anna” in letters or polite notices. This usage is an adjective used in direct address, whereas kedvesen serves as an adverb describing how an action is performed.

Overall, kedvesen denotes a courteous, gentle manner in which actions or speech are carried out and is a standard choice in formal or polite Hungarian discourse. See also kedves for the related adjective and forms of address.