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March 24, 2026
奶奶nǎinai(nai3nai5)
奶奶 (nǎinai) refers primarily to one's paternal grandmother in an informal and affectionate manner. It can also denote a respectful term for the mistress of the house. In colloquial usage, it may refer to breasts, highlighting the word's versatility in different contexts.
Strokes10Frequency#1459DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the role of the grandmother (奶奶) is significant, often embodying wisdom and care within the family. Grandmothers frequently play a crucial role in raising grandchildren, reflecting the deep respect for elder family members.
Memory Tip
Imagine a warm, cozy kitchen where your 'nai nai' (奶奶) bakes cookies. The character 奶 (nǎi) looks like a cup (奶), which is associated with milk, often given to children by their grandmothers, and 奶奶 (nǎinai) sounds like 'nigh-nigh,' which could remind you of the comforting presence of a grandmother. Picture her saying 'nigh-nigh' as she tucks you into bed.
Meanings of 奶奶
nǎinai(nai3nai5)
1(informal) grandma (paternal grandmother)
2(respectful) mistress of the house
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About 奶奶
奶奶Simplified
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1459Frequency Rank
位Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 奶奶
Podcast: 奶奶
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AI Study Notes for 奶奶
Quick Contrast
外婆 (wàipó) refers to one's maternal grandmother, while 奶奶 (nǎinai) specifically denotes the paternal grandmother.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 奶奶 (nǎinai) with 外婆 (wàipó), which refers to maternal grandmothers. This word is informal and should be used in casual contexts when addressing or referring to grandmothers. Learners should be cautious of the tone, as using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 奶奶 (nǎinai) connects to other family-related vocabulary, like 爸爸 (bàba, dad) and 妈妈 (māmā, mom). Students should focus on pronunciation and recognizing its various meanings in context to enhance their familial vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 奶奶 (nǎinai) with the female term for maternal grandmother (外婆, wàipó), leading to incorrect familial references. For instance, saying '我的奶奶是外婆' (My grandmother is my maternal grandmother) is incorrect; it should be '我的外婆是我的外婆'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 奶奶
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How to say (informal) grandma (paternal grandmother) in Chinese
“(informal) grandma (paternal grandmother)” in Chinese is奶奶nǎinai
奶奶 (nǎinai) refers primarily to one's paternal grandmother in an informal and affectionate manner. It can also denote a respectful term for the mistress of the house. In colloquial usage, it may refer to breasts, highlighting the word's versatility in different contexts.
When to use 奶奶
Common mistakes include confusing 奶奶 (nǎinai) with 外婆 (wàipó), which refers to maternal grandmothers. This word is informal and should be used in casual contexts when addressing or referring to grandmothers. Learners should be cautious of the tone, as using the wrong tone can lead to misunderstandings.
奶奶 or something close to it
外婆 (wàipó) refers to one's maternal grandmother, while 奶奶 (nǎinai) specifically denotes the paternal grandmother.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 奶奶 (nǎinai) with the female term for maternal grandmother (外婆, wàipó), leading to incorrect familial references. For instance, saying '我的奶奶是外婆' (My grandmother is my maternal grandmother) is incorrect; it should be '我的外婆是我的外婆'.
Write 奶奶
奶
奶
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Grammar Patterns of 奶奶
奶奶 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
