奶奶
nǎinai
奶奶 (nǎinai) is the Chinese way to say grandma.
奶奶 is an informal term used to refer to a grandmother. In many Chinese families, it is used as a direct form of address for the grandmother, not just as a noun to describe her.
Meaning: grandmother (informal) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term consists of the character 奶, which literally means milk, breast or nursing. This character serves as the etymological root for many terms for female elders or nursing mothers.
Which one should you use?
While 奶奶 refers specifically to the paternal grandmother (father's side), the term 外婆 is used for the maternal grandmother (mother's side).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In southern China, Taiwan and parts of Southeast Asia, the informal term 阿嬷 or 阿嬤 is used to refer to both maternal and paternal grandmothers.
How does it change in a sentence?
While kinship terms like 奶奶 are rarely pluralized with 们 in natural speech, adding 们 can be used in specific contexts to refer to a group of grandmothers.
How do you pronounce it?
nǎinai
Did you know?
- In China, the distinction between 奶奶 and 外婆 reflects a historical patrilineal system where the maternal grandmother was considered part of an 'outside' family, as indicated by the character 外 meaning 'outside'.
- Chinese has a vast array of kinship terms that distinguish not just the side of the family, but also whether the grandmother is the spouse of a father's older or younger brother.
- The word 奶奶 can sometimes function as a title for a high-ranking or wealthy woman in historical dramas, rather than just a family member.
Examples in context
- 这条项链是我奶奶送给我的。My grandma gave me this necklace.This sentence shows how to use 奶奶 when a grandmother has given a gift.Tatoeba #2737442 by GlossaMatik, translation #2737507 by CM
- 把小孩寄託給奶奶養。Let Grandma take care of the kid.This sentence demonstrates the use of 奶奶 in the context of childcare.Tatoeba #1994822 by jjbraam, translation #9419708 by BobbyLee
- 我们担心着爷爷和奶奶。We're worried about Grandma and Grandpa.This sentence shows how 奶奶 is used when expressing concern for a grandparent.Tatoeba #3068504 by serendipity42, translation #247158 by CK
- 请问，您的奶奶在家吗？Excuse me, is your grandma at home?
- 我们应该去看望一下外婆。We should go visit grandma.
- 奶奶，您最近还好吗？Grandma, how have you been lately?
- 阿嬷，您今天想一起去购物吗？Grandma, would you like to go shopping together today?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking about their visit to their grandparents.
- 伟 Wei奶奶今天身体怎么样？Nǎinai jīntiān shēntǐ zěnmeyàng?How is grandma's health today?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen奶奶现在好多了。Nǎinai xiànzài hǎoduō le.Grandma is much better now.
- 伟 Wei那我就放心了。Nà wǒ jiù fàngxīn le.Then I am relieved.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我们晚点去看看奶奶吧。Wǒmen wǎndiǎn qù kànkan nǎinai ba.Let's go see grandma a bit later.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
