The Italian word for angel looks and sounds extremely similar to its English equivalent: angelo.
Angelo is a masculine noun that takes the following definite and indefinite articles:
- l’angelo = the angel
- un angelo = an angel
- gli angeli = the angels
- degli angeli = some angels
The word derives from the Latin angelus via the Greek angelos meaning messenger.
Angeli play an important role in the Christian religion, as they are believed to be divine messengers of heaven (paradiso) sent to earth to act as intermediaries between God (Dio) and his people. In art and literature, they are often depicted with wings (ali) and a halo (aureola) above their heads, singing and playing musical instruments (strumenti musicali).
L’angelo è un simbolo di purezza e innocenza.
The angel is a symbol of purity and innocence.
One of the most well-known angels is the cherub (cherubino), a chubby male child with wings much like Cupid (Cupido).
Below are some other kinds of angels you might have heard of:
- angelo della neve = snow angel
- angelo caduto = fallen angel
- angelo custode = guardian angel
- angelo della morte = angel of death
- arcangelo = archangel
Angelo is one of many terms of endearment you can use with your partner whereas angioletto can be an affectionate nickname for a young child.
Tu sei il mio angelo!
You’re my angel!
It also serves as the basis for the adjective angelico which means angelic or of angels.
Finally we have the idiom discutere sul sesso degli angeli which literally translates as to debate the gender of the angels. It means that you are debating something useless or talking about nothing of importance.
Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
