polite
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polite
Describes behavior that is respectful, courteous, and considerate toward other people. It is expressed through good manners and a friendly way of speaking.
Es ist höflich, älteren Menschen im Bus einen Sitzplatz anzubieten.
It is polite to offer older people a seat on the bus.
The word 'höflich' (polite) comes from 'der Hof' (the court), the residence of a king or prince. It originally described the behavior that was customary at court. The related noun is 'die Höflichkeit' (politeness).
Gute Manieren und Höflichkeit sind im Berufsleben wichtig.
Good manners and politeness are important in professional life.
The opposite of 'höflich' (polite) is formed simply with the prefix 'un-': 'unhöflich' (impolite/rude). This prefix is used with many adjectives to express negation.
Es ist unhöflich, jemanden beim Sprechen zu unterbrechen.
It is impolite to interrupt someone while they are speaking.
A very common and useful construction is 'Es ist höflich, etwas zu tun' (It is polite to do something). You can use it to formulate general rules for good behavior.
Es ist höflich, „Danke“ und „Bitte“ zu sagen.
It is polite to say 'thank you' and 'please.'
'Höflich' (polite) is often combined with verbs of communication, for example 'höflich fragen' (to ask politely), 'höflich antworten' (to answer politely), or 'höflich grüßen' (to greet politely).
Auch wenn er anderer Meinung war, blieb er immer höflich.
Even though he had a different opinion, he always remained polite.
nice
'nett' and 'höflich' both describe a pleasant way of dealing with other people. 'nett' tends to mean that a person seems friendly and likable. 'höflich' mainly describes behavior: someone says please and thank you, speaks respectfully, and follows good manners. You can be polite without seeming especially nice. Learners can easily confuse the words because polite behavior often also seems nice. As a guide: 'nett' is more about the personal impression, while 'höflich' is more about respect and manners.
Vor dem Termin begrüßt der Kunde die Mitarbeiterin höflich.
Before the appointment, the customer politely greets the employee.
Hannes war sehr nett, als er mir wegen der Arbeit geholfen hat.
Hannes was very nice when he helped me with the work.