fairy
Loading your saved state.
fairy
A female mythical being with magical powers, often portrayed as beautiful and kind, who can grant wishes.
Im Märchen erscheint eine gute Fee und hilft der Prinzessin.
In the fairy tale, a good fairy appears and helps the princess.
The word 'Fee' (fairy) originally comes from fairy tales and legends. In everyday language, however, it is also used affectionately and colloquially for a very helpful person.
In vielen Geschichten erfüllt eine gute Fee drei Wünsche.
In many stories, a good fairy grants three wishes.
The word 'Fee' (fairy) is often part of compound nouns that describe the fairy's special task. Very well-known examples are the 'Wunschfee' (wish fairy) or the 'Zahnfee' (tooth fairy).
Viele Kinder legen ihren ausgefallenen Milchzahn für die Zahnfee unter das Kissen.
Many children put their fallen-out baby tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy.
The expression 'die gute Fee sein' (to be the good fairy) is often used for a person who does a lot of good behind the scenes. It is usually followed by a genitive or 'von' construction that names the place or area.
Ohne die gute Fee in der Verwaltung würde hier gar nichts funktionieren.
Without the good fairy in administration, nothing here would function at all.
angel
'der Engel' and 'die Fee' can both be friendly, good beings in stories or in people's imagination. An angel belongs more to religion and spirituality and is often depicted as a messenger or protector with wings. A fairy belongs more to fairy tales and fantasy stories and has magical powers; for example, she can grant wishes. Both words can also be used affectionately for very helpful people. They can be confused because both are positive and often helpful. The context helps: for religion, 'Engel' is more suitable; for fairy tales and magic, 'Fee' is more suitable.
Im Märchen erfüllt die Fee dem armen Mädchen einen Wunsch.
In the fairy tale, the fairy grants the poor girl a wish.
In der Kirche hängt ein Bild von einem Engel über dem Eingang.
In the church, there is a picture of an angel hanging above the entrance.