奶奶

奶奶 (nǎi nǎi) is the standard term for 'grandmother' in Mandarin Chinese. It specifically refers to the mother of one's father or mother, distinguishing it from other familial terms like 姑姑 (aunt) or 阿姨 (uncle's wife).

The character 奶 (nǎi) originally meant 'milk' and later came to be used as a term of endearment, especially for elderly women. The repetition of the character emphasizes affection and familiarity, common in Chinese familial language.

In daily use, 奶奶 is often used in family settings and is considered a respectful and warm term. It is commonly used in conversations between children and their grandparents, and is also found in traditional stories and cultural expressions about family bonds.