奶奶 (nǎinai) — paternal grandmother

奶奶 (nǎinai)

奶奶 specifically means your father's mother (paternal grandmother). Chinese family terms are precise about which side of the family a relative belongs to. The maternal grandmother is 外婆 (wàipó) or 姥姥 (lǎolao).

Meanings

1. [noun] Paternal grandmother (father's mother).

Example Sentences

我奶奶住在北京。 Wǒ nǎinai zhù zài Běijīng. My grandmother lives in Beijing.

奶奶做的饺子最好吃。 Nǎinai zuò de jiǎozi zuì hǎochī. Grandma's dumplings are the most delicious.

我每个周末都去看奶奶。 Wǒ měi gè zhōumò dōu qù kàn nǎinai. I visit my grandmother every weekend.

奶奶今年七十岁了。 Nǎinai jīnnián qīshí suì le. Grandma is seventy years old this year.

Collocations

Memory Hook

奶 means milk (breast milk), the ultimate nurturing image. 奶奶 is the nurturing woman on your father's side, doubled for emphasis and affection.