German word

Heilige

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhaɪ̯lɪgə/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)saint

Example

In dieser Stadt werden jedes Jahr viele Heilige geehrt.

Every year, many saints are honored in this city.

Illustration for Heilige (saint)

More examples

Du bist keine Heilige, aber du hilfst gern.

You are no saint, but you like to help.

Core concept

A revered holy person whose life is honored as an example within a faith tradition.

Common phrases

  • keine Heilige sein

    not be a saint

  • für einen Heilige gehalten werden

    be regarded as a saint

  • einen Heilige verehren

    worship a saint

Similar words

Vorbild: A person whose conduct or character others seek to emulate.
Schutzpatron: A religious guardian believed to protect a place or profession.
Märtyrer: A person who dies for a faith or conviction and is honored for that sacrifice.

Definition in German

Substantiviertes Adjektiv für eine Person, die wegen besonderer Tugend oder Heiligkeit von einer Glaubensgemeinschaft geachtet wird

Word origin

Heilige developed from the adjective heilig by nominalization, while heilig belongs to a Germanic word family related to heil, meaning whole or sound.

Usage tips

  • The masculine counterpart is der Heilige, whereas die Heilige specifically denotes a female saint.

Opposites

  • Sündersinnernoun

Related words

Word lists with this word