kai3 go1契哥
Jyutpingkai3 go1
Yalekai gō
Definition
An adoptive, sworn, or nominal elder brother without blood relations.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
This term originates from the traditional custom of 上契, where a person formally enters a godparent relationship or establishes a sibling bond with someone outside their biological family. It carries a sense of genuine familial closeness rather than just a casual friendship. In modern usage, it is sometimes used to describe a close male friend who acts like a protective brother, though it still implies a formal recognition of that bond.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is my sworn elder brother, he takes good care of me.
Related words
Common phrases
to enter into a sworn sibling or godparent relationship
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 哥哥, which refers strictly to a biological elder brother. Using 契哥 for a biological brother is incorrect and would cause confusion about the family structure.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
