姥姥
lǎolao
In Chinese, the phrase for "grandma on mom's side" is 姥姥 (lǎolao).
姥姥 refers specifically to the mother of one's mother.
Which one should you use?
While 姥姥 is used for the maternal grandmother, do not confuse it with 奶奶, which specifically refers to the paternal grandmother (the father's mother).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 姥姥 is most characteristically used in Northern China.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a kinship term, the second character in 姥姥 is typically pronounced with a neutral tone (lǎolao).
How do you pronounce it?
lǎolao
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese culture, the distinction between 姥姥 and 奶奶 was not just linguistic but social, as the paternal grandmother historically held a higher status within the joint family household.
- In Southern China and Taiwan, people often use 外婆 instead of 姥姥 to refer to the maternal grandmother. The prefix 外 means 'outside', reflecting an ancient view that the mother's side of the family was outside the primary kinship group.
- While 姥姥 is standard in the North, using it in Southern China can make a speaker sound like a character from a Northern television drama.
Examples in context
- Qù wài pó jiā chī fàn ba! (去外婆家吃饭吧!)Let's go to Grandma's on Mom's side for a meal!
- 我姥姥住在北京。Wǒ lǎolao zhù zài Běijīng.My grandma on mom's side lives in Beijing.
- 你姥姥身体怎么样？Nǐ lǎolao shēntǐ zěnmeyàng?How is your grandma on mom's side's health?
- 我经常去看我姥姥。Wǒ jīngcháng qù kàn wǒ lǎolao.I often go to visit my grandma on mom's side.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你周末要去哪里？Zhìqiáng, nǐ zhōumò yào qù nǎlǐ?Zhiqiang, where are you going this weekend?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我去探望我姥姥。Wǒ qù tànwàng wǒ lǎolao.I am going to visit my grandma on mom's side.
- 雨婷 Yuting你姥姥一定会很高兴的。Nǐ lǎolao yīdìng huì hěn gāoxìng de.Your grandma on mom's side will surely be very happy.
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，我也很想她。Shì de, wǒ yě hěn xiǎng tā.Yes, I miss her a lot too.
