angelo
/ˈan.d͡ʒe.lo/masculine
The English word "angel" is translated into Italian as angelo.
The term refers to a messenger from a deity.
Meaning: messenger from a deity (noun)
Which one should you use?
While angelo is the standard term, you may use the diminutive angioletto for a "little angel" in informal contexts or the formal term essere celeste to mean "celestial being".
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is angelo and the masculine plural form is angeli.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable. The IPA is /ˈan.dʒe.lo/.
Did you know?
- In Italy, the phrase fare l'angelo means to behave perfectly or pretend to be innocent, often when someone is actually being mischievous.
- In Italian art history, the putto is a specific type of winged infant often confused with an angioletto, but putti are technically secular symbols of love rather than divine messengers.
- The word angelo is inherited from the Latin angelus, which comes from the Ancient Greek ángelos.
Examples in context
- Lei è un angelo.She's an angel.This sentence shows how to use angelo to describe a person.Tatoeba #2457673 by Guybrush88, translation #1851464 by Spamster
- È il mio angelo.You are my angel.This sentence shows how to use angelo to describe someone as 'my angel'.Tatoeba #2508823 by Guybrush88, translation #2194554 by AlanF_US
- Tom è un angelo.Tom is an angel.This sentence shows how to use angelo to identify a person as an angel.Tatoeba #2697762 by Guybrush88, translation #2272940 by CK
- Mario è un angelo che cammina tra noi.Mario is an angel walking among us.
- Guarda quel bimbo, sembra un angioletto!Look at that child, he looks like a little angel!
- 131 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are looking at an old painting in a museum.
- LorenzoGuarda quell'angelo nel quadro.Look at that angel in the painting.
- GiuliaÈ davvero un angelo bellissimo.It is truly a beautiful angel.
- LorenzoSembra un angelo protettore.He looks like a guardian angel.
- GiuliaSì, l'angelo ha un'aria molto dolce.Yes, the angel has a very sweet look.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “angel” translations and entries angelo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries angelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
