两 meaning and stroke order
Two; both; some
How to write 两, stroke by stroke
7 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Meaning of 两
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- two
- both
- some
- a few
- tael, unit of weight equal to 50 grams (modern) or 1⁄16 of a catty 斤[jin1] (old)
How 两 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. Two people 从 together in a cart.
Radical: 一 (one), shared by 34 characters on this site.
How to remember 两
Picture a cart frame 冂 with a roof line 一 on top, and inside sit two people 从 side by side. Two riders in one cart gives you 两 (liǎng), meaning two or both.
Use 两 before a measure word when counting two of something, while 二 (èr) is used for the number itself, as in counting or phone numbers. It also appears in words meaning both, like 两边 (liǎngbiān) and 两者 (liǎngzhě). Example: 我有两个哥哥。(Wǒ yǒu liǎng ge gēge.) I have two older brothers.
Common mistake: Learners often say 二个 (èr ge) instead of 两个 (liǎng ge). Before a measure word, use 两. Also do not confuse 两 with 丙 (bǐng), which has only one stroke inside the frame instead of two 人 shapes.
Common words with 两
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 两边 | liǎngbiān | either side; both sides | HSK 4 |
| 两岸 | liǎng'àn | bilateral; both shores | HSK 5 |
| 两侧 | liǎngcè | two sides; both sides | HSK 6 |
| 两手 | liǎngshǒu | one's two hands; two prongs (of a strategy) | HSK 6 |
| 有两下子 | yǒu liǎngxiàzi | to have real skill; to know one's stuff | HSK 7-9 |
| 两栖 | liǎngqī | amphibious; dual-talented | HSK 7-9 |
| 两口子 | liǎngkǒuzi | husband and wife | HSK 7-9 |
| 两者 | liǎngzhě | both of them; the two of them | |
| 两样 | liǎngyàng | not the same; different | |
| 两倍 | liǎngbèi | twice as much; double the amount | |
| 两句 | liǎngjù | (say) a few words | |
| 两下 | liǎngxià | twice; for a little while | |
| 两面 | liǎngmiàn | both sides | |
| 两头 | liǎngtóu | both ends; both parties to a deal |
两 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 两
Learning 两 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 两
How many strokes are in 两?
两 is written with 7 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 两 mean?
两 (liǎng) means two; both; some. A common word with it is 两边 (liǎngbiān), meaning "either side; both sides".
How do you pronounce 两?
两 is pronounced liǎng, in the third tone (dipping).
What is the radical of 两?
The radical of 两 is 一, which carries the idea of "one". Dictionaries list 两 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 两?
The traditional form of 两 is 兩. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 两 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 两 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 两 is part of the HSK 1 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 1.
When do I use 二 and when do I use 两?
Use 二 for counting numbers, ordinal numbers like 第二 (dì èr), and in larger numbers like 十二 (shí'èr). Use 两 for two of something with a measure word, such as 两本书 (liǎng běn shū). For 200 or 2000 both 两百 and 二百 are heard.
Does 两 mean anything besides two?
Yes. It can mean a few, as in 说两句 (shuō liǎng jù), to say a few words. It is also a weight unit, the tael, equal to 50 grams today, often seen in markets and recipes.