kai3 maa1契媽契妈
Jyutpingkai3 maa1
Yalekai mā
Definition
Godmother; a woman who treats a non-biological child as her own.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
This term implies a close, affectionate bond that often mirrors a real parent child relationship without biological ties. It is common for a godmother to be a close family friend or a mentor figure who provides extra support or guidance. The relationship is formalised by mutual consent and is treated with genuine respect within the social circle.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
She is very fond of me, I treat her like a godmother.
Related words
Common phrases
to acknowledge someone as a godmother
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the English concept of a godmother in a religious baptismal sense, as the Cantonese term is primarily about a social or emotional bond rather than a religious duty.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
