Chinese word

奶

Pronunciation

Pinyinnǎi

Meaning

  • nounmilk

Example

这个咖啡加点奶更好喝。zhè ge kā fēi jiā diǎn nǎi gèng hǎo hē

Adding a little milk to this coffee makes it taste better.

Illustration for 奶 (milk)

More examples

早餐我通常喝一杯牛奶。zǎo cān wǒ tōng cháng hē yì bēi niú nǎi

I usually drink a glass of milk for breakfast.

Core concept

The nourishing fluid from a mother or animal, used on its own or added to food.

Common phrases

  • 牛奶niú nǎi

    milk

  • 喝牛奶hē niú nǎi

    drink milk

Similar words

牛奶niú nǎi: Cow's milk prepared as a drink for everyday use.

Definition in Chinese

乳房分泌的乳汁及由此制作的乳制品，用于饮用或烹饪调味。rǔ fáng fēn mì de rǔ zhī jí yóu cǐ zhì zuò de rǔ zhì pǐn yòng yú yǐn yòng huò pēng rèn tiáo wèi

Word origin

奶 (nǎi, "milk") combines 女 (nǚ, "woman") for meaning with 乃 (nǎi, "then") for sound, reflecting an original link with women's milk before the word broadened to milk from animals.

Usage tips

  • On a menu or in a recipe, the same word can name what is served and what is added, so the surrounding food context supplies the role.

Related words

Word lists with this word