‘姨姥姥’ (yí lǎo lǎo) is a kinship term used specifically for one’s mother’s aunt — that is, the sister of one’s maternal grandmother. It combines three characters: ‘姨’ (yí), meaning ‘aunt’ (specifically mother’s sister); and ‘姥姥’ (lǎo lǎo), the common term for ‘maternal grandmother’. Repeating ‘姥’ emphasizes generational distance, making it clear this person is one generation older than the grandmother — hence, the grandmother’s sister. This term reflects Chinese kinship’s precision in distinguishing maternal versus paternal lines and generational levels.

The word is used almost exclusively in spoken, informal family contexts — especially by children or younger relatives when addressing or referring to this elder. It carries warmth and respect but is not formal or bureaucratic; you won’t find it in legal documents or official forms. Unlike English, which often uses generic terms like ‘great-aunt’, Chinese requires specifying the exact lineage (maternal/paternal) and immediate familial relationship, making ‘姨姥姥’ both precise and culturally rich.