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天使 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
天使tiānshǐangelHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #1571, Very Hard
tiānshǐ(tian1shi3)tian shi T1
  1. 1angel
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March 24, 2026

天使tiānshǐ(tian1shi3)

天使 (tiān shǐ) means 'angel' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in both religious contexts and metaphorically to describe someone who brings good fortune or assistance. The term conveys a sense of protection and guidance, often associated with benevolence.

Strokes12Frequency#1571DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, angels are often seen as protectors, similar to their role in Western religions. The concept may also intersect with traditional beliefs about deities or spirits that offer guidance and protection to individuals.

Memory tip

Imagine a '天' (sky or heaven) filled with '使' (messengers) bringing love and help to people below. The character '天' looks like a roof over the '使', symbolizing the heavenly nature of angels as divine messengers.

Meanings of 天使

tiānshǐ(tian1shi3)
1angel
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About 天使

天使Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 天使

Quick Contrast

神 (shén, god) - use 天使 for a benevolent being that aids humans, while 神 refers to a deity with a broader, often more powerful role.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 天使; mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion. This term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Common collocations include phrases like '天使的祝福' (angel's blessing).

HSK Study Tips

While 天使 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be related to other HSK words about spirituality or kindness, such as '爱' (love) or '帮助' (help). Students should focus on recognizing the character components, which can enhance their understanding of other compound words.

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 天使 with other similar-sounding words, like '天时' (tiān shí), which means 'weather' or 'timing'. Always remember that 天使 specifically refers to 'angel'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 天使

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Component characters

天tiānday
HSK 14 strokes大
View full entry
使shǐto make
HSK 48 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say angel in Chinese

“angel” in Chinese is天使tiānshǐ

天使 (tiān shǐ) means 'angel' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in both religious contexts and metaphorically to describe someone who brings good fortune or assistance. The term conveys a sense of protection and guidance, often associated with benevolence.

When to use 天使

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 天使; mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion. This term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Common collocations include phrases like '天使的祝福' (angel's blessing).

天使 or something close to it

神 (shén, god) - use 天使 for a benevolent being that aids humans, while 神 refers to a deity with a broader, often more powerful role.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 天使 with other similar-sounding words, like '天时' (tiān shí), which means 'weather' or 'timing'. Always remember that 天使 specifically refers to 'angel'.

Write 天使

天
使

Practice writing 天使 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 天使

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

The role of angels in Chinese culture differs from Western traditions, where they are often viewed primarily in a religious context, while in China, they can also represent a broader idea of benevolent spirits or protectors.

Frequently asked questions about 天使

You can say '她是我的天使' (She is my angel) to express gratitude or admiration.

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