German word

Madonna

Pronunciation

IPA/maˈdɔna/

Meaning

  • feminine nounVirgin Mary

Example

Die Madonna auf dem Altar ist sehr schön.

The Virgin Mary on the altar is very beautiful.

Illustration for Madonna (Virgin Mary)

More examples

Im Museum hängt ein altes Bild der Madonna.

An old picture of the Madonna statue hangs in the museum.

Core concept

A sacred mother figure in art, often holding the infant Jesus and presented for prayer or reverence.

Common phrases

  • die Madonna auf dem Altar

    the Madonna statue on the altar

  • ein Bild der Madonna

    a picture of the Madonna statue

Similar words

Marienbild: An image of the Virgin Mary, especially one displayed on an altar.
Muttergottes: A Christian title for the Virgin Mary as the mother of God.
Ikone: A revered religious image of a saint or the Virgin Mary.
Sängerin: A female professional singer.

Definition in German

ein feminines Substantiv, das in Kunst und Frömmigkeit die Muttergottes bezeichnet

Word origin

German borrowed Madonna from Italian madonna, which developed from the Latin phrase mea domina, meaning 'my lady'.

Usage tips

  • Madonna is feminine in German, so the standard form is die Madonna and the plural is die Madonnen.

Other meanings

  • Madonnanoun

Related words

  • MadonnenbildMadonna paintingnoun
  • MadonnenstatueMadonna statuenoun
  • madonnenhaftMadonna-likeadjective

Word lists with this word