aingeal
/ˈaɲəl̪ˠ/masculine
The Irish word for angel is aingeal.
The word aingeal refers to a messenger from a deity. For the specific concept of a guardian angel, use the phrase Aingeal cosanta.
Meaning: messenger from a deity (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun aingeal is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaɲəl̪ˠ/
Did you know?
- Although it sounds celestial, the word aingeal traces its deepest Proto-Indo-European root back to a word meaning 'coal'.
- In Irish folk tradition, an aingeal is not always a celestial being but can be used to describe a person who is exceptionally kind or helpful.
- While aingeal describes a divine messenger, Irish also has the term sídh for supernatural beings that are neither angels nor demons.
Examples in context
- Tá aingeal i gcónaí i do thaobh.An angel is always by your side.
- Tá mo aingealín ag tabhairt áthas dom gach lá.My little angel brings joy to me every day.
- Is aingeal é an fear sin.That man is an angel.
- Chonaic an aingeal aní.The angel saw her.
Example conversation
Siobhán and Conor are discussing a painting in a gallery.
- SiobhánCeartas an aingeal seo go hálainn.This angel is truly beautiful.
- ConorTá sé an-suimiúil, a Siobhán.It is very interesting, Siobhán.
- SiobhánAn bhfuil aingeal eile sa phictiúr?Is there another angel in the picture?
- ConorNíl, is é an t-aon aingeal é.No, it is the only angel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “angel” translations and entries aingeal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aingeal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
