thiên thần
[tʰiən˧˧ tʰən˨˩]
The English word "angel" is translated into Vietnamese as thiên thần. Wiktionary also lists thiên sứ.
Meaning: messenger from a deity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| thiên thần | [tʰiən˧˧ tʰən˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tʰiəŋ˧˧ tʰəŋ˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| thiên sứ | [tʰiən˧˧ sɨ˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tʰiəŋ˧˧ ʂɨ˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
Thiên thần refers to an angel as a celestial being. It is also frequently used metaphorically to describe a person who is exceptionally kind, beautiful or helpful.
What does it mean word for word?
Thiên thần is composed of thiên (heaven/sky) and thần (god/spirit/deity). Thiên sứ is composed of thiên (heaven/sky) and sứ (messenger/envoy).
Which one should you use?
While both terms refer to angels, thiên thần is the general term for an angel as an entity, whereas thiên sứ emphasizes the role of the angel as a messenger.
Did you know?
- The word sứ has a completely different meaning when referring to 'porcelain' or 'chinaware' despite being spelled and pronounced the same way as in thiên sứ.
- The term thiên sứ uses the character sứ, which is the same word used to describe an 'ambassador' in modern diplomatic contexts.
- The term thiên thần sa ngã is the specific phrase used to describe a 'fallen angel', a construction that follows formal Sino-Vietnamese patterns.
Examples in context
- Ác quỷ trẻ, thiên sứ già.Young devil, old angel.This sentence shows the contrast between a young devil and an old thiên sứ.Tatoeba #13693211 by leucammieuvu, translation #13692122 by carlosalberto
- Sáng nay, tôi thấy một thiên thần.This morning, I saw an angel.Tatoeba #13173483 by leucammieuvu, translation #400305 by CM
- Lời cô ta nói cứ như lời của một thiên thần.Her words were like those of an angel.Tatoeba #1543750 by Aomori, translation #309257 by darinmex
- Thiên thần đã mang đến sự an lành cho gia đình của chúng tôi.The angel brought peace to our family.
- Đứa con của trời, hãy giữ trái tim của em trong sạch như một thiên thần.Heaven's child, may you keep your heart as pure as an angel.
Example conversation
Hương and Minh are looking at a beautiful painting in a gallery.
- MinhBức tranh này đẹp quá Hương ơi.This painting is so beautiful, Huong.
- HươngĐúng vậy, hình ảnh thiên thần trông thật thanh khiết.That's true, the image of the angel looks so pure.
- MinhAnh ấy có vẻ là một thiên thần nhân hậu.He looks like a kind angel.
- HươngEm cũng nghĩ như vậy.I think so too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “angel” translations and entries thiên thần, thiên sứ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sứ, thiên, thiên sứ, thiên thần, thần, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
