เทวดา
tee-wá-daa/tʰeː˧.wa˦˥.daː˧/
In Thai, "angel" can be translated as เทวดา (tee-wá-daa) or ทูตสวรรค์.
Meaning: messenger from a deity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| เทวดา | tee-wá-daa | /tʰeː˧.wa˦˥.daː˧/ |
| ทูตสวรรค์ | tûut-sà-wǎn | /tʰuːt̚˥˩.sa˨˩.wan˩˩˦/ |
The term is used to describe a messenger from a deity.
What does it mean word for word?
ทูตสวรรค์ literally means "heavenly messenger", combining ทูต (messenger) and สวรรค์ (heaven). เทวดา refers to a celestial being or a person of divine status in the celestial realms.
Which one should you use?
เทวดา is used for a general celestial being, deity or angel within Buddhist and Hindu-influenced contexts. In contrast, ทูตสวรรค์ specifically emphasizes the role of a messenger from heaven and is the term most closely aligned with the Western concept of an angel.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of เทวดา is tee-wá-daa.
When do people say it?
In Thai culture, เทวดา is the more common term used when referring to the various beings living in higher planes of existence.
Did you know?
- Because เทวดา refers to beings in Buddhist cosmology, these angels are not immortal. They can exhaust their merit and be reborn as humans or animals.
- While English speakers often use 'angel' to describe a kind person, calling a Thai person a เทวดา would imply they are a literal celestial deity rather than just a very good person.
- If you were to use the word ทูต (messenger) on its own, you could be referring to a high-ranking diplomatic official in a political context.
Examples in context
- เขามีรูปร่างหน้าตาสวยงามราวกับเทวดาkhao mi rup-rang na-ta suay ngam rao kap the-wa-daHe has a beautiful appearance like an angel.
- เทวดาบนสวรรค์กำลังเฝ้ามองเราอยู่the-wa-da bon sa-wan kam-lang fao mong rao yuThe angels in heaven are watching us.
- ในนิทานมีเทวดาใจดีปรากฏตัวออกมาnai ni-than mi the-wa-da chai-dee pra-kot tua ok maAn angel appears in the fairy tale.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a beautiful painting in an art gallery.
- วิทวัส Witthawatภาพวาดเทวดาองค์นี้ดูสง่างามมากเลยphap-wat the-wa-da ong nee du sa-nga ngam mak loeiThis painting of an angel looks very majestic.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanใช่ค่ะ เขาดูเหมือนเทวดาจริงๆchai kha khao du muean the-wa-da jing jingYes, he really looks like an angel.
- วิทวัส Witthawatคุณกนกวรรณชอบงานศิลปะแนวนี้ไหมครับkhun ka-nok-wan chop ngan sin-la-pa naeo nee mai khrapDo you like this style of art, Kanokwan?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanชอบมากค่ะ วิทวัสchop mak kha wit-tha-watI like it very much, Witthawat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “angel” translations and entries เทวดา, ทูตสวรรค์, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
