奶奶
nǎinai
奶奶 (nǎinai) is the Mandarin Chinese word for grandma.
奶奶 is used to refer to a grandmother. In many Chinese communities, children may also call elderly women who are not related to them 奶奶 as a term of endearment or respect.
Meaning: grandmother (informal) (noun)
Which one should you use?
奶奶 refers specifically to the paternal grandmother (father's mother), whereas 外婆 is used for the maternal grandmother (mother's mother).
How do you pronounce it?
nǎinai
Did you know?
- The word 奶 originally referred to 'milk' or 'breast'. This reflects a historical cultural connection between the grandmother and the role of nourishment in the family.
- While 奶奶 is used for the father's mother, the maternal grandmother 外婆 contains the character 外, which literally means 'outside'.
- In the context of traditional Chinese opera or period dramas, the way a character addresses their 奶奶 can instantly signal their specific social rank and wealth.
Examples in context
- 这条项链是我奶奶送给我的。My grandma gave me this necklace.This sentence is useful for seeing how to mention a gift from 奶奶.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 is useful for describing a child being cared for by 奶奶.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 is useful for expressing concern for both grandparents, including 奶奶.Tatoeba #3068504 by serendipity42, translation #247158 by CK
- 我亲爱的外婆，你好吗？My dear grandma, how are you?
- 姥姥，请给我讲一个故事吧。Grandma, please tell me a story.
- 奶奶，您今天看起来真年轻！Grandma, you look so young today!
- 阿嬷，我想吃您的拿手菜。Grandma, I want to eat your signature dish.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yuting and Junjie are talking about their family members.
- 雨婷 Yuting你奶奶在哪个城市生活？Nǐ nǎinai zài nǎge chéngshì shēnghuó?Which city does your grandma live in?
- 俊杰 Junjie我奶奶住在上海。Wǒ nǎinai zhù zài Shànghǎi.My grandma lives in Shanghai.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也想去拜访我的奶奶。Wǒ yě xiǎng qù bàifǎng wǒ de nǎinai.I also want to visit my grandma.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们可以一起去。Wǒmen kěyǐ yīqǐ qù.We can go together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
