niedlich

German

Etymology

An originally Low and Central German word from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle Low German nǖtlīk (“delicious, delicate”) and (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle High German (Central Franconian) nītlīche, late (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle High German (Central German) niethlīchen (“eagerly”). It is then from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old Saxon niudlīko (“eagerly”) (compare Old English nēodlīċe), derived from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old Saxon niud, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Proto-Germanic *neudaz (“desire, drive, urge”), equivalent to nied +‎ -lich. More at needly.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈniːt.lɪç/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adjective

niedlich (comparative niedlicher, superlative am niedlichsten)

1. cute, pretty, charming, adorable
2. (humorous) tiny, minute

Synonyms

• goldig
• liebenswert
• putzig
• reizend
• süß

Derived terms

• Niedlichkeit

Further reading

• “niedlich” in Duden online