lǎolao: 姥姥 - Maternal Grandmother

• Keywords: 姥姥, lǎolao, maternal grandmother in Chinese, Chinese for grandma, laolao meaning, laolao vs nainai, laolao vs waipo, Chinese family terms, how to say grandma on mom's side in Chinese.
• Summary: Learn the meaning and cultural significance of 姥姥 (lǎolao), the common Chinese term for one's maternal grandmother (mother's mother). This guide explains why Chinese has separate words for the maternal and paternal grandmothers, how 姥姥 differs from 奶奶 (nǎinai) and 外婆 (wàipó), and how to use it in conversation. Discover the warm, affectionate role a 姥姥 plays in a Chinese family.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): lǎolao
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (Fundamental vocabulary learned before or alongside HSK 1)
• Concise Definition: Maternal grandmother; one's mother's mother.
• In a Nutshell: 姥姥 (lǎolao) is an affectionate and common way to say “grandma” in Chinese, but only for your mother's mother. Unlike the general English “grandma,” Chinese kinship terms are very specific, reflecting the structure of the family. Using 姥姥 immediately tells the listener you are talking about the grandmother on your mom's side of the family. The term carries a feeling of warmth, familiarity, and love.

• 姥 (lǎo): This character is a combination of 女 (nǚ), meaning “woman/female,” and 老 (lǎo), meaning “old.” So, it literally represents an “old woman.” By itself, it can refer to a maternal grandmother.
• 姥 (lǎo): The second character is a repetition of the first. In Chinese, reduplicating kinship nouns (like in 妈妈 māma, 爸爸 bàba, 哥哥 gēge) often makes the term more personal, familiar, and affectionate. It's the sound a child would naturally use.
• Together, 姥姥 (lǎolao) creates a standard, yet intimate, term for one's mother's mother.

In traditional Chinese culture, the family is patrilineal, meaning lineage and inheritance are traced through the father's side. This creates a conceptual distinction between the “inner family” (内, nèi) of the father and the “outer family” (外, wài) of the mother. This is why Chinese has distinct words for paternal and maternal relatives. Your paternal grandmother is 奶奶 (nǎinai), a member of your “inner” family who shares your surname. Your maternal grandmother, 姥姥 (lǎolao), is a beloved member of your “outer” family. A helpful comparison is to the English term “grandmother.” In English, you must add a clarifier like “my mom's mom” to be specific. In Chinese, that distinction is built directly into the words 姥姥 (lǎolao) and 奶奶 (nǎinai). Despite the “outer family” label, the emotional bond with a 姥姥 is often incredibly close and cherished. For many Chinese children, their 姥姥 represents unconditional love, delicious home cooking, and a second home filled with warmth. The distinction is more about social structure than emotional distance. Learning this difference is a key step to understanding the importance of family in Chinese culture.

姥姥 (lǎolao) is used in two primary ways:

1.  **Direct Address:** When speaking directly to your maternal grandmother, you simply call her "**姥姥**!". For example: "**姥姥**，我回来了!" (Lǎolao, I'm home!).
2.  **Referring to Her:** When talking about your maternal grandmother to others, you say "**我姥姥**" (wǒ lǎolao). For example: "**我姥姥**做的饺子最好吃。" (My grandma's dumplings are the most delicious.)

It's crucial to know that 姥姥 is more common in Northern China. In Southern China and Taiwan, the term 外婆 (wàipó) is much more common.

• 姥姥 (lǎolao): Predominantly used in places like Beijing, Shandong, and Northeast China.
• 外婆 (wàipó): Predominantly used in places like Shanghai, Guangdong, and Sichuan.

Both terms mean exactly the same thing. Using 姥姥 in the south isn't “wrong,” but it might mark you as a non-local or someone with northern roots. For learners, it's good to be aware of both. 外婆 (wàipó) is often considered slightly more standard in textbooks.

• Example 1:
  • 我每个周末都去看我姥姥。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měi ge zhōumò dōu qù kàn wǒ lǎolao.
  • English: I go to see my (maternal) grandma every weekend.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how to talk *about* your 姥姥. Note the use of “我” (wǒ) before the term.
• Example 2:
  • 姥姥，今天晚饭我们吃什么？
  • Pinyin: Lǎolao, jīntiān wǎnfàn wǒmen chī shénme?
  • English: Grandma, what are we eating for dinner tonight?
  • Analysis: This is an example of direct address. You don't say “我姥姥” when talking *to* her.
• Example 3:
  • 这件毛衣是我姥姥给我织的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn máoyī shì wǒ lǎolao gěi wǒ zhī de.
  • English: This sweater was knitted for me by my (maternal) grandma.
  • Analysis: This highlights a common, loving activity associated with grandmothers. The `是…的` (shì…de) construction emphasizes who did the action.
• Example 4:
  • 我姥姥家在山东，我奶奶家在北京。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ lǎolao jiā zài Shāndōng, wǒ nǎinai jiā zài Běijīng.
  • English: My maternal grandmother's home is in Shandong, and my paternal grandmother's home is in Beijing.
  • Analysis: A perfect sentence for practicing the distinction between 姥姥 (lǎolao) and 奶奶 (nǎinai).
• Example 5:
  • 小时候，我姥姥经常给我讲故事。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎo shíhou, wǒ lǎolao jīngcháng gěi wǒ jiǎng gùshi.
  • English: When I was little, my (maternal) grandma often told me stories.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects 姥姥 with fond childhood memories, a very common cultural association.
• Example 6:
  • 我给姥姥打了个电话，祝她生日快乐。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gěi lǎolao dǎ le ge diànhuà, zhù tā shēngrì kuàilè.
  • English: I gave my (maternal) grandma a call to wish her a happy birthday.
  • Analysis: A simple, practical sentence demonstrating a common act of filial piety and care.
• Example 7:
  • 你姥姥身体怎么样？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ lǎolao shēntǐ zěnmeyàng?
  • English: How is your (maternal) grandmother's health?
  • Analysis: A common and polite way to inquire about someone's family member.
• Example 8:
  • 这是我妈妈的妈妈，我应该叫她姥姥。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒ māma de māma, wǒ yīnggāi jiào tā lǎolao.
  • English: This is my mom's mom, I should call her lǎolao.
  • Analysis: This sentence explicitly defines the relationship, making it great for learners.
• Example 9:
  • 虽然我住在南方，但我习惯叫姥姥，因为我妈妈是北方人。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán wǒ zhù zài nánfāng, dàn wǒ xíguàn jiào lǎolao, yīnwèi wǒ māma shì běifāng rén.
  • English: Although I live in the South, I'm used to saying lǎolao because my mom is from the North.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the real-world complexity of the regional variation. Family background often dictates which term is used.
• Example 10:
  • 姥姥做的红烧肉是我的最爱。
  • Pinyin: Lǎolao zuò de hóngshāo ròu shì wǒ de zuì'ài.
  • English: The braised pork belly that (maternal) grandma makes is my favorite.
  • Analysis: Food is deeply connected to family and love in Chinese culture, and “grandma's cooking” is a powerful concept.

• Biggest Mistake: Confusing 姥姥 (lǎolao) and 奶奶 (nǎinai).
  • Incorrect: `我爸爸的妈妈是我的姥姥。` (My dad's mom is my lǎolao.)
  • Reason: This is fundamentally wrong in Chinese kinship. Your father's mother is always 奶奶 (nǎinai). Your mother's mother is always 姥姥 (or 外婆 wàipó). Mixing them up is a major error for a learner.
• Forgetting Regionalisms: While not a grammatical error, using 姥姥 in a region where 外婆 (wàipó) is dominant (like Guangzhou) might sound unnatural. If you know where your friend's family is from, using the local term is a nice touch. If you're unsure, both are understood, but 外婆 (wàipó) is often considered the more “standard” or geographically neutral term in formal education.
• Using “我的” in Direct Address: When you see your grandma and greet her, you say “姥姥!” not “我的姥姥!”. The possessive pronoun “我” (wǒ) is only used when talking *about* her to a third person.

• 奶奶 (nǎinai) - Paternal grandmother (father's mother). The direct counterpart to 姥姥.
• 外婆 (wàipó) - Maternal grandmother. A direct synonym for 姥姥, used more commonly in Southern China.
• 姥爷 (lǎoye) - Maternal grandfather (mother's father). The northern counterpart to 外公.
• 外公 (wàigōng) - Maternal grandfather. The more common and standard term for one's mother's father.
• 爷爷 (yéye) - Paternal grandfather (father's father).
• 亲戚 (qīnqi) - A relative; kin. The general term that covers all family members, including your 姥姥.
• 家庭 (jiātíng) - Family; household. The core unit where these relationships exist.
• 长辈 (zhǎngbèi) - An elder; a person of an older generation. A 姥姥 is a respected 长辈.
• 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - Filial piety; the cultural value of being respectful and caring towards one's parents and elders.