gefällig

Definition & meaning

The adjective gefällig generally describes something that is pleasing, agreeable, or accommodating. It is used in several contexts:

1. Pleasing/Attractiveness: Used to describe something that appeals to the senses or is aesthetically pleasing. For example, a design or a person's appearance.
2. Accommodating/Obliging: Used to describe a person who is helpful, polite, and ready to comply with the wishes of others.
3. Formal request: In a business or formal context, it can mean "requested" or "desired" (e.g., "um gefällige Rückmeldung wird gebeten" - "a prompt reply is requested").

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: Adjective. It can be used as an attributive adjective (e.g., "ein gefälliges Design") or as a predicative adjective (e.g., "das Verhalten war sehr gefällig").
• Word origin: It is derived from the German verb gefallen ↗, which means "to please." The suffix "-ig" is used to form an adjective expressing a property or quality. Literally, it means "having the quality of pleasing."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• attraktiv ↗ (attractive)
• angenehm ↗ (pleasant)
• zuvorkommend ↗ (obliging/accommodating)
• höflich ↗ (polite)
• ansprechend ↗ (appealing)

Antonyms:

• missfallend ↗ (displeasing)
• unangenehm ↗ (unpleasant)
• abweisend ↗ (aloof/dismissive)
• unhöflich ↗ (impolite)