爹哋
de1 di4
爹哋 (de1 di4) is the Cantonese way to say daddy.
爹哋 is an informal term for father. It is a loanword-based expression primarily used by children or within highly affectionate, westernized contexts.
Meaning: (informal, usually childish) father (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 爹哋 is an informal and westernized term for daddy, you might encounter other terms: 父親 is the formal term for father and 老豆 is a colloquial term for daddy used among younger generations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
爹哋 is an informal term. For formal situations, use 父親. In casual speech among younger people, 老豆 serves as a colloquial alternative.
How do you pronounce it?
de1 di4
Did you know?
- The colloquial term 老豆 literally translates to 'old bean', yet it is a common, cheeky way for young people to say 'daddy' or 'dad'.
- In traditional Cantonese culture, it was historically rare for children to call their fathers by any name or title directly, often referring to them in the third person instead.
- While 爹哋 sounds westernized, the character 爹 was historically used in Northern Chinese dialects for father before becoming part of the Cantonese loanword.
Examples in context
- 爹哋，我愛你。die1 dei1, ngo5 oi3 nei5.Daddy, I love you.
- 我想送份禮物畀爹哋。ngo5 soeng2 sung3 fan6 lai5 mat6 bei2 die1 dei1.I want to give a gift to daddy.
Example conversation
A young girl is playing in the living room when her father arrives.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting爹哋，你返嚟啦！die1 dei1, nei5 faan1 lai4 laa1!Daddy, you're back!
- 家明 Ka Ming係呀，雅婷，爹哋返嚟喇。hai6 aa3, ngaa5 ting4, die1 dei1 faan1 lai4 laa3.Yes, Nga Ting, daddy is back.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting爹哋想唔想同我玩？die1 dei1 soeng2 m4 soeng2 tung4 ngo5 waan2?Does daddy want to play with me?
- 家明 Ka Ming爹哋好想同你玩呀。die1 dei1 hou2 soeng2 tung4 nei5 waan2 aa3.Daddy really wants to play with you.
