奶粉 (nǎi fěn) literally means 'milk powder' — 奶 (nǎi) means 'milk', and 粉 (fěn) means 'powder'. It refers to dried, powdered milk that has been processed for long-term storage and easy reconstitution with water. While cow’s milk is most common, 奶粉 can also be made from goat, soy, or even human milk (for medical use). It is widely used as infant formula, dietary supplement, or ingredient in cooking and baking.

This term is neutral and commonly heard in daily life — especially in parenting, healthcare, and grocery contexts. Unlike the general word 牛奶 (niú nǎi, 'cow’s milk'), 奶粉 specifically emphasizes the dehydrated, powdered form. It is not used for fresh liquid milk or condensed milk (炼乳, liàn rǔ), which are distinct products with different processing methods and uses.