<p>干妈 and 干爹 are used for describing the intimacy between two families. For example, two families are so intimate that the parents from one family treat the children of another family almost like their own. So the children may call the parents 干妈 and 干爹.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-13T03:50:28.570Z
2013-02-13T03:50:28.570Z
pjhades
<p>干妈 is a kind of relationship in Chinese culture. It has nothing to do with Christianity (Christian godparents are called 教父 教母). Like Christian godparents, 干妈 or 干爹 would usually sponsor the child in some aspect.</p>

<p>In Chinese tradition, 干妈 or 干爹 can act as real mother or father. They are different from 养父母 as they usually don't actrually raise the children.</p>

<p>To become a 干妈 or 干爹, there should be some kind of ceremony. With the consent of involving parties, anyone of approriate age can become a 干妈 or 干爹.</p>

<p>This relationship is not legally recognized.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-11T10:03:55.057Z
2013-02-20T03:31:26.163Z
2013-02-20T03:31:26.163Z
fefe
<p><a href="http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?page=worddict&amp;wdrst=0&amp;wdqb=ganma" rel="noreferrer">This dictionary</a> translates 干妈 as "Godmother", and my pocket dictionary also gives "nominal mother".</p>

<p>In English, "Godmother" and "Godfather" are very specific titles - Your Godparents are the people who sponsored your baptism (if you had one).  Non Christians therefore do not have Godparents - indeed even many Christians do not.</p>

<p>My question is twofold:</p>

<ol>
<li>Is 干妈 the word that Chinese Christians use for the person who sponsored their baptism?</li>
<li>Who else could be considered a 干妈. Where is the line between an older female friend of the family being a 干妈, and an 阿姨.</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-05-31T10:19:38.010Z
I can attest to "godfather / godmother" being used in a secular, non-Christian way in the UK. This is also confirmed by Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English: "2. a woman who serves as sponsor for a child, such as at a baptism." - so it isn't only for baptisms.
goPlayerJuggler
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-11T09:09:51.090Z
what context did you encounter 干妈 in? the only time i've ever seen it is in 老干妈 brand 辣酱。
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-11T09:52:15.237Z
@StumpyJoePete It is a common word in China, but a little bit hard to explain ...
fefe
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-11T12:27:14.880Z
@StumpyJoePete it was in a movie, a girl addressed an older woman 干妈
jsj
<meaning><kinship>
Who exactly is a 干妈
# Who exactly is a 干妈

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-02-11)

[This dictionary](http://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=ganma) translates 干妈 as "Godmother", and my pocket dictionary also gives "nominal mother".

In English, "Godmother" and "Godfather" are very specific titles - Your Godparents are the people who sponsored your baptism (if you had one). Non Christians therefore do not have Godparents - indeed even many Christians do not.

My question is twofold:

1. Is 干妈 the word that Chinese Christians use for the person who sponsored their baptism?
2. Who else could be considered a 干妈. Where is the line between an older female friend of the family being a 干妈, and an 阿姨.

**Tags:** meaning, kinship

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: what context did you encounter 干妈 in? the only time i've ever seen it is in 老干妈 brand 辣酱。  
> **username_3**: @username_2 It is a common word in China, but a little bit hard to explain ...  
> **username_0**: @username_2 it was in a movie, a girl addressed an older woman 干妈  
> **username_1**: I can attest to "godfather / godmother" being used in a secular, non-Christian way in the UK. This is also confirmed by Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English: "2. a woman who serves as sponsor for a child, such as at a baptism." - so it isn't only for baptisms.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-02-11. Score: 9 | Accepted answer

干妈 is a kind of relationship in Chinese culture. It has nothing to do with Christianity (Christian godparents are called 教父 教母). Like Christian godparents, 干妈 or 干爹 would usually sponsor the child in some aspect.

In Chinese tradition, 干妈 or 干爹 can act as real mother or father. They are different from 养父母 as they usually don't actrually raise the children.

To become a 干妈 or 干爹, there should be some kind of ceremony. With the consent of involving parties, anyone of approriate age can become a 干妈 or 干爹.

This relationship is not legally recognized.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2013-02-13. Score: 4

干妈 and 干爹 are used for describing the intimacy between two families. For example, two families are so intimate that the parents from one family treat the children of another family almost like their own. So the children may call the parents 干妈 and 干爹.


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