What does “zuvorkommend” mean in German?

At a flea market, the speaker meets a seller and says he was “sehr nett und zuvorkommend.” So this word isn’t just “polite.” It paints someone who actively makes things easy for you: the seller even let him look through his own private card collection. When you call a person zuvorkommend, you mean they go a small step further to be kind and helpful, not only friendly on the surface.

Spoken line: “der übrigens sehr nett und zuvorkommend war” — “who, by the way, was very nice and helpful.” You usually use zuvorkommend for a person who treats you well and makes an effort: - “Die Bedienung war sehr zuvorkommend.” (The server was very attentive and helpful.) - “Er ist immer zuvorkommend zu Gästen.” (He is always welcoming and helpful to guests.) - “Danke, das war sehr zuvorkommend von Ihnen.” (Thank you, that was very kind of you.) It is warmer than just höflich (polite). Höflich is good manners; zuvorkommend is going a little out of your way for someone. It often shows up in reviews of shops, hotels, and service, and works well as a compliment.