de los angeles
Low (as a combined unit; 'Los Angeles' alone is very high frequency).Formal (in surnames/place names), Neutral (in geographical/cultural reference).
Definition
Meaning
A proper name, specifically the Spanish-derived surname and place name meaning 'of the angels', most famously associated with the city of Los Angeles, California.
Refers to individuals, families, or places bearing the name. It can also be used in cultural contexts to denote something originating from or characteristic of Los Angeles (e.g., 'de Los Angeles style'). When used with a first name, it typically indicates a Spanish or Latin American naming convention where 'de Los Angeles' is part of a compound surname.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
'De Los Angeles' is not a standalone English lexical item but a proper noun phrase of Spanish origin. Its meaning is compositional: 'de' (of, from) + 'Los Angeles' (the angels). In English, it is treated as a fixed name. The 'de' is often capitalized in surnames (e.g., 'Juan De Los Angeles'). When referring to the city, 'de' is almost always omitted ('Los Angeles').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. Americans are far more likely to encounter it as part of a surname or in direct reference to the California city. British usage is primarily in reference to the city or in international contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, primarily geographical (city of Los Angeles) or patronymic. In the US, it may carry stronger associations with Hispanic heritage, California culture, or the entertainment industry.
Frequency
Vastly more frequent in American English due to the prominence of the city and larger Hispanic population. In British English, the phrase is almost exclusively tied to knowledge of the US city or specific individuals.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[First Name] + de Los Angeles (e.g., Ana de Los Angeles)the + city + of + Los AngelesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “*Not applicable for proper names*”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in company names based in LA (e.g., 'De Los Angeles Holdings').
Academic
Appears in historical, geographical, or demographic studies referencing the city or families with that surname.
Everyday
Primarily as a surname or in reference to the city: 'She's from Los Angeles.' The 'de' is rarely used in casual reference to the city.
Technical
Used in official legal documents, genealogical records, or precise geographical indexing where the full formal name is required.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The de Los Angeles family history is well-documented.
- A de Los Angeles-style bungalow.
American English
- She has a classic de Los Angeles surname.
- The film had a very de Los Angeles aesthetic.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Los Angeles is a big city in America.
- Her name is Carmen de Los Angeles.
- I went to Los Angeles on holiday last year.
- The architect, Mr. José de Los Angeles, designed the building.
- The de Los Angeles family has lived in this region for generations.
- While 'Los Angeles' is common, the full 'de Los Angeles' is typically used in formal or legal contexts.
- The cultural phenomenon, often termed 'de Los Angeles chic', influences global fashion trends.
- Genealogical research confirmed her lineage to the 18th-century settler Juan de Los Angeles.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember it as 'The Angels' Place': DE (of/from) LOS (the) ANGELES (angels). Think of a sign saying 'From The Angels' on a road into the city.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLACE AS SOURCE (de = from). The name conceptualizes the city as a place originating from or belonging to angelic figures.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate word-for-word as 'из ангелов'. It is a fixed name.
- The 'de' does not imply nobility or possession in the English context; it's part of the name.
- Avoid separating 'Los Angeles' into 'Лос Анджелес' in a way that treats 'Los' as a separate first name.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrectly capitalizing 'de' as 'De' in mid-sentence when it's a preposition (in Spanish phrases). However, in surnames, it is often capitalized.
- Omitting 'de' when it is part of a formal surname.
- Using 'de Los Angeles' to refer to the city in modern English (should be just 'Los Angeles').
- Mispronouncing 'Angeles' with a hard 'g' /ɡ/ instead of a /dʒ/ sound.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'de' most likely to be included when speaking in English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The official and universally used name in English is simply 'Los Angeles'. 'De Los Angeles' is a Spanish phrase meaning 'of the angels' and appears in surnames or historical/poetic contexts, but not for the modern city.
In American English, it's often pronounced /deɪ/ (like 'day'). In a more Spanish pronunciation, it's /de/ (like 'deh'). The 'g' in 'Angeles' is soft: /dʒ/ (like in 'judge').
It is a convention in Spanish naming, where 'de' can denote origin (from a place) and is part of a compound surname. It is passed down as a fixed part of the family name.
In English treatment of surnames, it often is capitalized (e.g., 'De Los Angeles') to treat the surname as a single unit, especially at the start of a sentence. Within a sentence, style guides vary, but capitalization is common.