1. 天使 (tiān shǐ): This is the most common and literal translation of "angel." It combines the characters for "heaven" (天) and "messenger" (使). This is the best choice for general usage.
2. 天使 (tiān shǐ): This is the same as above but uses the simplified characters. It's commonly used in mainland China and other regions using simplified Chinese.
3. 使者 (shǐ zhě): This literally means "messenger" and can be used to refer to an angel, especially in a religious context. It emphasizes the role of an angel as a divine messenger.
4. 神使 (shén shǐ): This translates to "divine messenger," and specifically refers to a messenger sent by a god or deity. It emphasizes the divine origin of the angel.
5. 守护神 (shǒu hù shén): This means "guardian deity" and can be used to refer to an angel in a protective role. It focuses on the angel's function as a protector.
The best choice will depend on the specific context. In general, 天使 (tiān shǐ) is the most common and versatile option.