saint
die Heilige, die Heiligen
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saint
A religious person who is revered for their particularly devout life and closeness to God. In Christianity, the word often refers to a person who has been officially canonized.
Der Heilige wird in dieser Kirche seit Jahrhunderten verehrt.
The saint has been venerated in this church for centuries.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Heiligen |
| genitive | der Heiligen |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Heilige | die Heiligen |
| accusative | die Heilige | die Heiligen |
| dative | der Heiligen | den Heiligen |
| genitive | der Heiligen | der Heiligen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Typical collocations include „einen Heiligen verehren“ (to venerate a saint) and „einen Heiligen um Fürsprache bitten“ (to ask a saint for intercession). When asking for intercession, the saint is meant to intercede with God on behalf of the person praying.
Die Gläubigen bitten den Heiligen um Fürsprache für ihre Familien.
The believers ask the saint to intercede for their families.
In connection with churches and chapels, you will often come across the pattern „einem Heiligen geweiht sein“ (to be dedicated to a saint). The saint is in the dative case; the church often also bears their name.
Die kleine Kapelle ist einem Heiligen geweiht, der früher in dieser Gegend lebte.
The small chapel is dedicated to a saint who lived in this area in the past.
The expression „kein Heiliger sein“ (not to be a saint) is also used outside religious conversations. It indicates that someone has flaws or does not always behave morally correctly.
Ich bin auch kein Heiliger und habe schon Dinge getan, die ich heute bereue.
I'm no saint either, and I've done things that I regret today.
