谢谢奶奶
xiexie nainai
The English phrase "thank you grandma" is translated into Chinese as 谢谢奶奶 (xiexie nainai).
This phrase is used to express gratitude to one's paternal grandmother.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 谢谢 (xiexie), meaning 'thank you' and 奶奶 (nainai), meaning 'paternal grandmother'.
How do you pronounce it?
xiexie nainai
Did you know?
- The word 奶 (nǎi) literally means 'milk'. This reflects the traditional role of the paternal grandmother as the primary caregiver and nourisher of infants.
- The word 外 in the maternal grandmother's title 外婆 means 'outside', reflecting an ancient patriarchal view that the mother's family was outside the core kinship group.
- The term 奶奶 (nainai) is so common that it can also be used as a polite way to address an elderly woman who is not a relative. However, calling a stranger 奶奶 requires careful attention to her actual age to avoid offense.
Examples in context
- 谢谢奶奶，做的菜很好吃。Xièxiè nǎinai, zuò de cài hěn hǎochī.Thank you grandma, the food you made is delicious.
- 谢谢奶奶，我以后会努力学习。Xièxiè nǎinai, wǒ yǐhòu huì nǔlì xuéxí.Thank you grandma, I will study hard in the future.
Example conversation
A grandchild receives a red envelope from his grandmother.
- 佳怡 Jiayi给，这是给你的压岁钱。Gěi, zhè shì gěi nǐ de yāsuìqián.Here, this is your New Year's money.
- 俊杰 Junjie谢谢奶奶！Xièxie nǎinai!Thank you grandma!
- 佳怡 Jiayi乖孩子，快去玩吧。Guāi háizi, kuài qù wán ba.Good boy, go play now.
- 俊杰 Junjie好，我这就去。Hǎo, wǒ zhè jiù qù.Okay, I'm going now.
