奶奶
nǎinai
The English phrase "grandma on dad's side" is translated into Chinese as 奶奶 (nǎinai).
奶奶 is the standard way to refer to your paternal grandmother. In many social contexts, it is also used as a polite way to address elderly women in general.
Which one should you use?
While 奶奶 is the standard term, you may encounter 祖母 in formal contexts and 阿嬤 in certain informal regional settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
阿嬤 is an informal term used in certain Chinese-speaking regions to address a paternal grandmother.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 奶奶 is a reduplicated noun. In standard Mandarin, the second syllable is typically pronounced with a neutral tone, resulting in the pronunciation nǎinai.
How do you pronounce it?
nǎinai
Did you know?
- The term 奶奶 is also used as a title for a high-ranking or wealthy lady in historical Chinese dramas. In these contexts, it implies a woman of significant status and authority within a large household.
- In traditional Chinese culture, the paternal grandmother 奶奶 traditionally held a higher status and more authority within the home than the maternal grandmother.
- While 奶奶 specifically means paternal grandmother, in some southern regions like Taiwan, the term 阿嬤 is used for both the paternal and maternal grandmothers.
Examples in context
- 跟奶奶吃饭是我最开心的时刻。Eating with my grandma is the happiest moment for me.
- 阿嬤常常教我做菜。My grandma on my dad's side often teaches me how to cook.
- 我奶奶今天过生日。Wǒ nǎinai jīntiān guò shēngrì.My grandma on my dad's side is having a birthday today.
- 你奶奶身体好吗？Nǐ nǎinai shēntǐ hǎo ma?Is your grandma on your dad's side healthy?
- 奶奶正在厨房做饭。Nǎinai zhèngzài chúfáng zuò fàn.Grandma on dad's side is cooking in the kitchen.
Example conversation
Zihan and Zhiqiang are looking at an old family photo.
- 梓涵 Zihan照片里的这位是奶奶吗？Zhàopiàn lǐ de zhè wèi shì nǎinai ma?Is this person in the photo grandma on your dad's side?
- 志强 Zhiqiang对，这就是我的奶奶。Duì, zhè jiùshì wǒ de nǎinai.Yes, this is my grandma on my dad's side.
- 梓涵 Zihan她看起来很温柔。Tā kàn qǐlái hěn wēnróu.She looks very gentle.
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，她对我很好。Shì de, tā duì wǒ hěn hǎo.Yes, she is very good to me.
