kai3 naa2契乸
Jyutpingkai3 naa2
Yalekai ná
Definition
Godmother; an adoptive mother other than one's biological mother.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers to a woman who has a formal, ritualistic bond with a child, often established through a traditional ceremony. While the term implies a close, familial relationship, it is distinct from biological kinship and carries a sense of social obligation or deep affection. It is common for the godmother to be a close friend of the parents.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 乾媽, which is the Mandarin term. While some Hong Kongers might understand 乾媽, 契乸 is the authentic Cantonese term used in daily life.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
