教父
gaau fu
The English word 'godfather' is translated into Cantonese as 教父 (gaau fu).
教父 refers to a man present at a child's christening who promises to help raise the child in a Christian manner. It is also the standard term used when discussing a godfather in the context of organized crime, such as the Mafia.
Meaning: man present at the christening of a baby who promises to help raise the child in a Christian manner (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 教父 is composed of 教, meaning to teach or instruct and 父, meaning father.
Which one should you use?
While 教父 is the standard term for a religious or criminal godfather, the female equivalent is 教母 (godmother), which replaces the character for father with the character for mother.
How do you pronounce it?
gaau fu
Did you know?
- In traditional Cantonese culture, the role of a non-biological protector is called 乾爹, which literally translates to 'dry father'.
- While 教父 is used for Western crime bosses, Cantonese speakers use 大佬, meaning 'big brother', to refer to the actual leaders of local Triad societies.
- While English speakers might use 'godfather' to describe an influential figure, using 教父 to describe a powerful businessman in Cantonese could inadvertently imply he is a criminal leader.
Examples in context
- 教父 (gaau1 fu6) 好重要喎 (hou2 zung6 jiu3 wo3)！The godfather is so important!
- 對呀，佢係我嘅乾爹 (doui3 aa3, keoi5 hai6 ngo5 ge3 gon1 dai1)。Yes, he is my godfather.
- 我爸爸是他的教父。ngo5 baa1 baa1 hai6 taa1 dik1 gaau3 fu6.My father is his godfather.
- 我想找一位教父。ngo5 soeng2 zaau2 jat1 wai2 gaau3 fu6.I want to find a godfather.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing baby preparations.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你揀咗邊個做教父？nei6 gaan2 zo2 bin1 go3 zou6 gaau3 fu6?Who did you choose to be the godfather?
- 志強 Chi Keung我揀咗我最好嘅朋友。ngo5 gaan2 zo2 ngo5 zeoi3 hou2 ge3 pang4 jau5.I chose my best friend.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan佢會係一個好教父。keoi5 wui5 si6 jat1 go3 hou2 gaau3 fu6.He will be a good godfather.
- 志強 Chi Keung多謝你，嘉欣。do1 ze6 nei6, gaa1 han1.Thank you, Ka Hin.
