gefällig
pleasing
Visually appealing or pleasant; nice to look at.
EXAMPLE
Das ist ein sehr gefälliges Design für ein Auto.
That is a very pleasing design for a car.
gefällig
pleasing / obliging
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
gefällig
obliging
Helpful and courteous; willing to do someone a favor.
EXAMPLE
Er war so gefällig, mir mit den schweren Taschen zu helfen.
He was obliging enough to help me with the heavy bags.
gefälligst
you'd better
An intensified, often impatient or commanding request to do something. This form is used as an adverb.
EXAMPLE
Du kommst jetzt gefälligst sofort nach Hause!
You'd better come home right now!
gefällig
please
Used as a polite, but often slightly old-fashioned form of request, similar to 'bitte' (please).
EXAMPLE
Würden Sie mir gefällig das Salz reichen?
Would you please pass me the salt?
Usage tips
Word family
'Gefällig' (pleasing/obliging) is closely related to the verb 'gefallen' (to please) and the noun 'der Gefallen' (a favor). This connection helps you understand the meanings 'appealing' and 'helpful'.
EXAMPLE
Könntest du mir einen Gefallen tun und mir helfen?
Could you do me a favor and help me?
Use as a command
The form 'gefälligst' is not a polite request, but an impatient or strict command. It is used as an adverb and expresses anger or authority.
EXAMPLE
Sei jetzt gefälligst still, ich muss mich konzentrieren!
Be quiet now, I need to concentrate!
Context clue
When 'gefällig' (pleasing/obliging) describes a thing, such as a design or a shape, it means 'appealing'. When it describes a person's behavior, it means 'helpful'.
EXAMPLE
Die Architektin ist bekannt für ihre gefälligen Gebäude.
The architect is known for her pleasing buildings.
Old-fashioned style
Using 'gefällig' as a question particle, similar to 'bitte' (please), is very formal and often sounds old-fashioned or ironic today. It is hardly used this way in everyday speech anymore.
EXAMPLE
Schließen Sie gefällig die Tür, wenn Sie gehen?
Would you please close the door when you leave?
Compare with
gefällig vs bitte
please
Bitte can introduce a polite request in any suitable situation today. Gefällig is used with this meaning only in certain, often slightly old-fashioned constructions, such as „Seien Sie so gefällig“. Use „bitte“ in normal modern usage; „gefällig“ is mainly appropriate in such fixed expressions.
gefällig
Seien Sie so gefällig und schließen Sie das Fenster.
Would you be so kind as to close the window?
bitte
Bitte schließen Sie das Fenster.
Please close the window.
In real life
Loading video examples...