held
/ɦɛlt/masculine
The Dutch word for hero is held.
The word held refers to a person of great bravery.
Meaning: person of great bravery (verb)
Which one should you use?
The masculine form is held, while heldin is used specifically when referring to a heroine. The plural form is helden.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of held is helden, and the feminine form is heldin.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɦɛlt/
Did you know?
- The Dutch word held is a cognate of the English word 'health'. In Old English, the related word 'hæleþ' referred to a man or a warrior.
- In modern Dutch, held is often used ironically to describe someone who is receiving far more praise than they actually deserve for a minor action.
- In older Dutch literature, held did not always imply great bravery and could simply be used as a synonym for 'man' or 'warrior'.
Examples in context
- Ik ben een held.I'm a hero.This sentence is useful for saying you are a hero using held.Tatoeba #568360 by Citrine, translation #25509 by CK
- Tom is een held.Tom is a hero.This sentence is useful for identifying Tom as a hero using held.Tatoeba #6638237 by PaulP, translation #1604619 by Spamster
- U bent mijn held.You are my hero.This sentence is useful for telling someone they are your hero using held.Tatoeba #7814344 by MarijnKp, translation #1617002 by Spamster
- De brandweerman koning was een held.The firefighter king was a hero.
- De jongen die de oude dame redde, is een echte redder.The boy who saved the old lady is a true hero.
- Bedankt, jullie zijn echte kanjers!Thanks, you guys are real heroes!
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Levi and Emma are talking about a rescue on the news.
- LeviDie brandweerman is echt een held.That firefighter is truly a hero.
- EmmaJa, hij was heel dapper.Yes, he was very brave.
- LeviIk zou geen held zijn in die situatie.I wouldn't be a hero in that situation.
- EmmaDat begrijp ik, Levi.I understand that, Levi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hero” translations and entries held, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries held, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
