angelito
/anxelito/from spelling rules
The English phrase "little angel" is translated into Spanish as angelito.
angelito is a term of endearment used to describe a sweet, well-behaved child. While it is primarily used for children, you can also use it affectionately for adults to describe someone who is exceptionally kind or innocent.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed by combining ángel (angel) with the diminutive suffix -ito (little).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term angelito/a is commonly used to refer to a "little angel". In Mexico, it is common to use the expression Angelito del Cielo to mean "little angel from heaven". Additionally, Angelito de Dios is an informal way to say "little angel of God" used in religious contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form angelito changes to the feminine angelita when referring to a girl. To refer to multiple people, use the plural form angelitos.
How do you pronounce it?
/anxelito/
Did you know?
- While angelito usually means a sweet child, it can be used with a sarcastic tone to describe a mischievous child who is pretending to be well-behaved.
- In some contexts, referring to a deceased child as an angelito is a common cultural way to express that the child is now in heaven.
- The word ángel comes from the Ancient Greek word ángelos, which literally meant 'messenger'.
Examples in context
- Conocí a tu madre en Facebook. Así que, si Facebook no existiera, tú tampoco existirías, angelito mío.I met your mother through Facebook. So, if Facebook didn't exist, neither would you, my little angel.This sentence shows how to use angelito in an affectionate context.Tatoeba #536545 by Shishir, translation #536549 by kebukebu
- Cuando mi hija sonríe, parece un pequeño ángel.When my daughter smiles, she looks like a little angel.
- Nuestro sobrino es un verdadero angelito.Our nephew is a true little angel.
- Mi sobrina es un angelito que siempre ilumina nuestras vidas.My niece is a little angel who always brightens our lives.
- ¡Mi nieto es un auténtico cielito!My grandson is a true little angel!
- No te preocupes, mi amor, eres un angelito de Dios.Don't worry, my love, you are a little angel of God.
- Tu hijo es un angelito.Your son is a little angel.
- Qué angelito es este bebé.What a little angel this baby is.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are visiting a friend's house with a toddler.
- Sofía¡Mira qué angelito es tu hijo!Look what a little angel your son is!
- AlejandroGracias, Sofía, hoy se ha portado muy bien.Thanks, Sofía, he has behaved very well today.
- SofíaSe nota que es un angelito.It shows that he is a little angel.
- AlejandroEspero que siempre sea así.I hope he is always like that.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries angelito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
