Heiliger
/ˈhaɪ̯.lɪ.ɡɐ/masculine
The English word 'saint' is translated into German as Heiliger.
A saint is a person proclaimed as a saint. You can also refer to a saint as a Schutzpatron (patron saint) or a Schutzheiliger (protective saint).
Meaning: person proclaimed as saint (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is Heiliger. The feminine form is Heilige. The plural form is Heiligen. In the masculine genitive case, the word remains Heiliger.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable: /ˈhaɪ̯.lɪ.ɡɐ/.
Did you know?
- In many German-speaking regions, the feast day of a Schutzheiliger is a local public holiday, meaning the 'saint' can dictate the rhythm of a city's working life.
- German distinguishs between a Heiliger, who is officially canonized, and a Seliger, which refers to a 'Blessed' person in the process of becoming a saint.
- The word Heiliger shares the same root as the German word Heilung, which means 'healing' or 'cure'.
Examples in context
- Er ist kein Heiliger.He's no saint.This sentence shows how to use Heiliger in a negative sense to say someone is not a saint.Tatoeba #1935169 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1932073 by Spamster
- Tom ist ein Heiliger.Tom is a saint.This sentence provides a positive example using Heiliger.Tatoeba #8388551 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2272867 by CK
- Ich bin kein Heiliger.I'm no saint.This sentence shows the use of Heiliger when speaking about oneself.Tatoeba #1935172 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1932075 by Spamster
- Die katholische Kirche verehrt viele Heilige.The Catholic Church venerates many saints.
- Der Orden der Karmeliter wurde von Sankt Simon Stock gegründet.The Order of Carmelites was founded by Saint Simon Stock.
- Die Legende erzählt, dass der Heilige Georg einen Drachen getötet hat.Legend tells that Saint George killed a dragon.
- Sankt Martin teilt seinen Mantel mit einem Bettler.Saint Martin shares his cloak with a beggar.
- Sankt Nikolaus ist der Schutzpatron von Kindern und Seeleuten.Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children and sailors.
- Sankt Elisabeth wurde für ihre Nächstenliebe bekannt.Saint Elizabeth was known for her love of others.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are looking at a collection of old religious statues.
- JuliaIst das ein Heiliger?Is that a saint?
- JulianJa, das ist ein Heiliger aus dem Mittelalter.Yes, that is a saint from the Middle Ages.
- JuliaEr sieht sehr friedlich aus.He looks very peaceful.
- JulianDas ist typisch für diesen Heiligen.That is typical for this saint.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “saint” translations and entries Heiliger, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
