German word

selig

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈzeːlɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectiveblessed

Example

Nach der Taufe war er seliger als zuvor.

After being baptized, he was more blessed than before.

Illustration for selig (blessed)

More examples

Sie saß am Fenster und betrachtete die Wolken mit seligem Blick.

She sat by the window and watched the clouds with a blissful expression.

Core concept

A quiet smile follows a blessing or a moment of profound good fortune.

Common phrases

  • mit seligem Blick

    with a blissful expression

  • in seliger Stimmung

    in a blissful mood

  • ein seliges Gefühl

    a blissful sensation

Similar words

glücklich: Feeling cheerful and genuinely glad.
zufrieden: Peacefully content because desired things have been achieved.
gesegnet: Enjoying blessings, protection, or unusually good fortune.

Definition in German

stille, tiefe Freude oder Glückseligkeit; oft im religiösen oder feierlichen Sinn gebraucht.

Word origin

The German adjective continues Old High German salig and Middle High German saelic, forms linked to an inherited Germanic root for happiness and good fortune.

Usage tips

  • In the example, seliger is the regular comparative form of selig, so seliger als zuvor means a greater degree than before.

Other meanings

  • fortunateadjective
  • blissfuladjective

Opposites

  • unseligunfortunateadjective

Related words

  • Seligkeitfelicitynoun
  • seligsprechenbeatifyverb

Word lists with this word