奶奶
nǎinai
The English phrase "paternal grandma" is translated into Chinese as 奶奶 (nǎinai).
奶奶 is used to mean the mother of a person's father. It functions both as a noun to refer to her when speaking about her and as a title to address her directly.
How do you pronounce it?
nǎinai
Did you know?
- The character 奶 refers to 'milk' or 'breast', linking the title for a paternal grandmother to the biological role of nurturing infants.
- In Chinese culture, there is a distinct term for the maternal grandmother, 外婆, which literally means 'outside grandmother' to denote her position outside the immediate paternal clan.
- In many Chinese households, the term 奶奶 is also used to address an elderly woman who is not a relative, similar to how one might use 'granny' or 'ma'am' in English.
Examples in context
- 我奶奶身体很好。Wǒ nǎinai shēntǐ hěn hǎo.My paternal grandma is in good health.
- 奶奶在家里做饭。Nǎinai zài jiālǐ zuò fàn.Grandma is cooking at home.
- 这是送给奶奶的礼物。Zhè shì sòng gěi nǎinai de lǐwù.This is a gift for grandma.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans.
- 梓涵 Zihan你周末打算做什么？Nǐ zhōumò dǎsuàn zuò shénme?What are your plans for the weekend?
- 浩然 Haoran我去探望我奶奶。Wǒ qù tànwàng wǒ nǎinai.I am going to visit my paternal grandma.
- 梓涵 Zihan你奶奶住在哪里？Nǐ nǎinai zhù zài nǎlǐ?Where does your grandma live?
- 浩然 Haoran她住在离这里不远的地方。Tā zhù zài lí zhèlǐ bù yuǎn de dìfāng.She lives not far from here.
