How to say "godfather" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe common word, a loanword from English, for a godfather — the man who sponsors a child at baptism. This is the word you want in most everyday conversation.
- 教父きょうふnounA kanji word meaning godfather or sponsor: the man who sponsors a child at baptism. Less common than ゴッドファーザー, it is the term you meet in religious contexts.
- 代父だいふnounA little-known kanji term for a godfather, the man who acts as sponsor at a baptism. In everyday speech it is seldom the word you want; ゴッドファーザー or 教父 is the usual choice.
For everyday use 「ゴッドファーザー」 is the common word; 教父 is the less common kanji term for a baptismal godfather or sponsor, while 代父 is a rare equivalent that is seldom the word you want.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
