Chinese phrases
How to say grandma in Chinese
Grandma in Chinese is 奶奶 (nǎi nai) for your father’s mother and 外婆 (wài pó) or 姥姥 (lǎo lao) for your mother’s mother. 外婆 is usual in the south, 姥姥 in the north.
奶奶
grandma (father’s mother)
Ways to say grandma
奶奶
Everydaygrandma (father’s mother)
Your father’s mother, everywhere in China. You use it to address her and to talk about her.
外婆
Everydaygrandma (mother’s mother)
Your mother’s mother. The usual word in southern China, and understood everywhere.
姥姥
Everydaygrandma (mother’s mother, northern)
Your mother’s mother in northern China, for example in Beijing and the northeast.
祖母
Writtengrandmother (father’s side, formal)
In writing and formal speech. Nobody calls their grandma this.
外祖母
Writtengrandmother (mother’s side, formal)
The written word for your mother’s mother, for example in a document or an essay.
Older women outside the family
奶奶
granny
To a woman about your grandmother’s age, for example a neighbour. Warm and respectful.
阿姨
auntie
To a woman about your parents’ age. Safer than 奶奶 when you are not sure.
Common mistakes
Calling both grandmothers 奶奶
奶奶 is only your father’s mother. Your mother’s mother is 外婆 or 姥姥.
Calling a middle-aged woman 奶奶
To a stranger, 奶奶 says she looks old enough to be your grandmother. If she could be your mother’s age, say 阿姨.
Shortening 外婆 to 婆婆
In standard Mandarin, 婆婆 is a woman’s mother-in-law. Some southern dialects use it for a grandmother, but the word everyone understands is 外婆.
A visit to Grandma
奶奶，我回来了！
Qiqi: Grandma, I’m home!
哎呀，快进来！饿不饿？
Grandma: Oh, come in! Are you hungry?
有点饿。
Qiqi: A little.
我给你做了红烧肉。
Grandma: I made you red-braised pork.
