契女
kai neoi
The Cantonese word for "goddaughter" is 契女 (kai neoi).
契女 is a noun used to refer to a female child whose baptism is sponsored by a godparent.
Meaning: female child whose baptism is sponsored by a godparent (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of the character for 'contract/covenant' (契) and 'female/daughter' (女).
Which one should you use?
While 契女 is the standard term, you may also see 契女兒. Adding the character 兒 (son/child) after 女 makes the term slightly more formal or affectionate.
How do you pronounce it?
kai neoi
Did you know?
- In Hong Kong, the term 契 is also used in 契弟 and 契妹 to describe 'sworn' siblings who have promised to treat each other as brothers or sisters.
- Unlike English, where 'goddaughter' is strictly a religious role, a 契女 may be an adult woman who has entered into this symbolic relationship with an older mentor.
- The character 契 refers to a 'contract', reflecting a traditional Chinese custom of creating formal kinship bonds through a social agreement rather than blood or law.
Examples in context
- 佢係我嘅契女。keoi5 hai6 ngo5 ge3 kai3 neoi5.She is my goddaughter.
- 我打算送禮物畀我個契女。ngo5 daa2 syun3 sung3 lai6 mat6 bei2 ngo5 go3 kai3 neoi5.I plan to give a gift to my goddaughter.
- 我個契女今年十歲。ngo5 go3 kai3 neoi5 gam1 nin4 sap6 seoi3.My goddaughter is ten years old this year.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a child's birthday party.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung志強，你星期日有時間嗎？zi3 koeng4, nei5 sing1 kei4 jat6 jau5 si4 gaan3 maa1?Zi Keung, do you have time this Sunday?
- 志強 Chi Keung有呀，有咩事？jau5 aa3, jau5 me1 si6?Yes, what's up?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我想邀請你嚟我契女嘅生日會。ngo5 soeng2 jiu1 cong2 nei5 lai4 ngo5 kai3 neoi2 ge3 sang1 jat6 wui6.I want to invite you to my goddaughter's birthday party.
- 志強 Chi Keung好啊，我一定會去。hou2 aa3, ngo5 jat1 ding6 wui5 heoi3.Sure, I will definitely go.
