engel
/ˈɛŋəl/
The Dutch word for angel is engel.
An engel is a messenger from a deity. Similar to English, the term een engel is used metaphorically to describe a person who is exceptionally kind or helpful.
Meaning: messenger from a deity (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Limburgish dialect, the word for 'little angel' is engelke.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of engel is engelen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɛŋəl/
Did you know?
- The word engel is used in the Dutch expression zo lief als een engel to describe someone who is behaving perfectly, often used ironically for children.
- In the Netherlands, the phrase een engel op aarde is often used in obituaries to describe a child who has passed away.
- The word engel comes from the Latin angelus, which was borrowed from the Ancient Greek ángelos.
Examples in context
- Ze is een engel.She's an angel.Tatoeba #7814278 by MarijnKp, translation #1851464 by Spamster
- Tom is een engel.Tom is an angel.Tatoeba #9393845 by MarijnKp, translation #2272940 by CK
- Je bent een engel!You're an angel!Tatoeba #584220 by PaulP, translation #1557 by CE
- Hij gedraagt zich als een engel.He behaves like an angel.
- De engelen zongen vrolijk.The angels sang cheerfully.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daan and Julia are looking at a classical painting in a museum.
- DaanKijk naar die engel op het schilderij.Look at that angel in the painting.
- JuliaJa, hij ziet er heel vredig uit.Yes, he looks very peaceful.
- DaanDe engel heeft prachtige witte vleugels.The angel has beautiful white wings.
- JuliaHet is echt een prachtig kunstwerk.It is truly a beautiful work of art.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “angel” translations and entries engel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries engel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
