天使のような
tenshi no yō na
The English word 'angelic' is translated into Japanese as 天使のような (tenshi no yō na).
The term is used to describe something or someone that belongs to, proceeds from or resembles an angel.
Meaning: belonging to, proceeding from, or resembling an angel (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tenshi (angel), the possessive particle no and yō na (like/resembling).
Which one should you use?
A more poetic or archaic way to say 'angelic' is tenshi no gotoki.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because it ends in yō na, this phrase functions as an adjective that must directly precede a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
tenshi no yō na
Did you know?
- The word tenshi is a compound of ten (heaven) and shi (messenger). This reflects the original translation of the Greek word 'angelos', which literally means 'messenger'.
- In Japanese media, describing a person as tenshi (angel) without the 'like' suffix often implies they are a 'healing' presence who helps others relax.
- Japanese culture has many 'angelic' creatures that are not Western angels, such as 'Tennin', which are celestial beings in Buddhist tradition that look similar to Western angels.
Examples in context
- 彼女の歌声は天使的な美しさがある。Her singing voice has an angelic beauty.
- 彼女の微笑みは天使のようだね。Her smile is like an angel's.
- 彼女は天使のような声で歌う。Kanojo wa tenshi no you na koe de utau.She sings with an angelic voice.
- 天使のような笑顔に癒やされた。Tenshi no you na egao ni iyasareta.I was healed by that angelic smile.
- その赤ん坊は天使のような寝顔をしている。Sono akachan wa tenshi no you na negao o shite iru.The baby has an angelic sleeping face.
Example conversation
Himari and Daito are looking at a photo of a baby.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、この子の寝顔、天使のような可愛さね。Mite, kono ko no negao, tenshi no you na kawaisa ne.Look, this child's sleeping face is angelic and cute.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。とても穏やかな顔をしているね。Hontou da. Totemo odayaka na kao o shite iru ne.You're right. He has a very peaceful face.
- 陽葵 Himariずっと見ていられるくらい純粋な感じがするわ。Zutto mite irareru kurai junsuina kanji ga suru wa.He feels so pure that I could watch him forever.
- 大翔 Hirotoいい写真だね。陽葵に似ているかも。Ii shashin da ne. Himari ni nite iru kamo.It's a great photo. He might look like you, Himari.
