How to translate "干妈","干爸/义父","干儿子/义子“?

Question

I need to translate these words for a rather formal circumstance(Visa interview). And I am referring to serious relationships, not just something like "sugar daddy", and I think it worths to mention that I am not talking about "养母","养父","养子".

"Godmother","Godfather" and "Godson" are the first showing up in my mind, but in China these words seem irrelevant, and I am afraid if I use these terms I would be required to provide some documentation(I guess these documentation exists in a literal "Godfather/Godson" relationship in western/catholic countries), which I don't have.

So, is there any better translation for "干妈","干儿子", etc. that can help a Visa officer understand the relationship?

P.S. I need to write an "invitation" letter to her, and I am trying to fill this blank at the very beginning: Dear ______, so descriptive terms like “close family friend” won't work. Based on everyone's answer, I guess maybe her name would be the best to be filled in. But that seems a little absurd in a Chinese environment.

Answer 1

The concept of 乾媽 and 乾爹 in Chinese culture is almost the same as " godmother and godfather in Western countries. To become official 乾媽 and 乾兒子, there has to be a rite or ceremony performed in front of witnesses. The relationship is formed in the name of gods, and is acceptable to everyone else.

However, in modern days, people tread the relationship of 乾媽 / 乾爹 and 乾兒子 much more casually, any close friend of the family can become an honorary mother to you just by oral agreement between the parties involved ( you and your 乾媽 or your parent and your 乾媽)

In your case, the most appropriate way to describe your 乾媽 in English, would be "close family friend". The visa officer would then understand you are not related to her, but she could be seen as a non-blood related authority figure to you.

The fact is. The visa officer just needs some probable reference from someone who can vouch for you. That person needs to be a citizen in good standing, know you and your history intimately. A " family friend" suggested just that.

P.S. I need to write an "invitation" letter to her, and I am trying to fill this blank at the very beginning: Dear ______,

In this case, just a simple "Dear Aunt + (her first name)" would do.

If you want to be less formal, you could use "Aunty"

Just like in Chinese, "aunt" in English can be used to address a female friend of your parents, or addressing your friends' mother.

In Western culture, there's no special term for addressing one's own godmother. You don't hear people saying something like: " Hi, Godmother Sally!" (or whatever her name is) People just call their godmothers by name, or "aunt + (her first name)" presuming she is also a friend of your parents or a mother of your friend

Answer 2

I think it depends on the specific relationship between you and your "干妈".

Does she depend on you economically? Or you can just say she is your friend.

Answer 3

"Godmother","Godfather" and "Godson" are the answer. But there are differences meaning of "Godmother","Godfather" and "Godson" in Ancient China and western Culture. Let Say Your father and My father are very-very close friend, your father is a famous person. Due to a strong relationship between them. Your father take me in his care. So I become his 干儿子 and he is my 干爹/义父 the wife of your father I call her 义母/干娘

Answer 4

The relationship of "干某某", including the Christianity godparent status, is mostly close circle relationship, it doesn't bring any legitimate meaning in any country. You invitation letter doesn't bring any ease of entry to the relevant authority unless you are someone they can account for.

So, you must first look for VISA-free status for the visitor then an invitation letter.

Otherwise, google whether particular country visitor will face entries problem. For some circumstances, you need get a signed oath paper/recommendation from legitimate personnel/reputable person(e.g. judge, oath officer, senator, mayor, etc ) from your town, that declare the visits intention.