干娘

乾娘
gānniáng
noun #96,992

Meanings

  1. 1 godmother
  2. 2 adoptive mother (without legal ramifications)

Examples

HSK 3
Tā měinián Chūnjié dōu qù kàn gānniáng.
He visits his godmother every Spring Festival.
HSK 4
Tā cóngxiǎo jiào Wáng āyí gānniáng.
She has called Auntie Wang her godmother since childhood.

Tips

culture
here means 'dry' / 'in name only': a 干娘 is a non-biological mother by tradition rather than law. The matching male term is 干爹 (godfather). The relationship is socially serious: such children traditionally visit and give gifts at major holidays.

Stroke Order

gān
niáng