天使(てんし)

てんし
noun
angel
1. angel, heavenly being
A spiritual being in Christianity and other religions that serves as a messenger of God. Also used in Japanese pop culture and art.
天使(てんし)の絵(え)を描(えが)く。
To paint a picture of an angel.
教会(きょうかい)の天井(てんじょう)に天使(てんし)の壁画(へきが)がある。
There is a mural of angels on the church ceiling.
キリスト教(きょう)では、天使(てんし)は神(かみ)の使(つか)いとされている。
In Christianity, angels are considered messengers of God.
2. angel (figurative), angelic person
A person, especially a child, who is exceptionally kind, innocent, or beautiful. Used as a term of endearment or admiration.
あの子(こ)は天使(てんし)みたいだ。
That child is like an angel.
寝顔(ねがお)が天使(てんし)のようにかわいい。
Their sleeping face is as cute as an angel's.
困(こま)っているときに助(たす)けてくれたあの人(ひと)は、まさに天使(てんし)だった。
The person who helped me when I was in trouble was truly an angel.

USAGE:
While the word comes from Christian religious context, it is widely used in secular Japanese in figurative expressions, pop culture, anime, and everyday speech. The figurative sense (sense 2) is very common.

CONTRAST:

  • 天使(てんし): angel (heavenly being)
  • 悪魔(あくま): devil, demon

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 天使(てんし)のような: angel-like, angelic
  • 天使(てんし)の羽(はね): angel wings
  • 堕天使(だてんし): fallen angel
  • 白衣(はくい)の天使(てんし): angel in white (nickname for nurses)
general
Added 2026.2.20 18:59
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