What is "father" in Coptic?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-08

In the Coptic language, there are different terms for "father" depending on whether you are using a native Coptic word, a Greek loanword, or a specific title for clergy.

1. Native Coptic Word

The most common native Coptic word for "father" is:

• ⲓⲱⲧ (pronounced yot)

When used with the definite article "the" (singular masculine), it becomes:

• ⲫⲓⲱⲧ (pronounced fi-yot) — The Father.
• Example: Ϧⲉⲛ ⲫⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ (Khen efran em-fi-yot) — "In the name of the Father."

2. Title for Clergy (Honorific)

When referring to a priest, bishop, or monk (as in "Father Isaac"), the title used is:

• ⲁⲃⲃⲁ (pronounced abba)

This is derived from the Aramaic word for father and is the standard title for fathers in the Coptic Orthodox tradition.

3. Greek Loanword

In a liturgical context, the Greek word for father is often used, especially in Sahidic or specific prayers:

• ⲡⲁⲧⲏⲣ (pronounced pater)

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Summary Table:

| English | Coptic Script | Transliteration | Context |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Father | ⲓⲱⲧ | Yot | General / Biological / Theological |

| The Father | ⲫⲓⲱⲧ | Fi-yot | The First Person of the Trinity |

| Father (Title) | ⲁⲃⲃⲁ | Abba | Used before a name (e.g., Abba Isaac) |