兩 meaning and stroke order
Two, both, pair, couple; ounce
How to write 兩, stroke by stroke
8 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
- 8
Meaning of 兩
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 兩 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. Two people 入 together in a cart.
Radical: 入 (to enter), shared by 5 characters on this site.
How to remember 兩
Picture a cart under a flat roof 一, with two people 入 入 sitting side by side inside the frame 巾. Two riders together in one cart reminds you that 兩 (liǎng) means two or both.
兩 is the traditional form of 两 (liǎng). It is used before measure words to count two of something, as in 兩個人 (liǎng ge rén, two people). It also means both, as in 兩邊 (liǎngbiān, both sides), and it is a unit of weight called a tael. Example: 我買了兩本書。(Wǒ mǎi le liǎng běn shū.) I bought two books.
Common mistake: Learners often say 二個人 (èr ge rén) instead of 兩個人 (liǎng ge rén). Before a measure word, use 兩, not 二. Also keep the third tone: it is liǎng, not liàng like 亮 (liàng, bright).
Common words with 兩
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 兩邊 | liǎngbiān | either side; both sides | HSK 4 |
| 兩岸 | liǎng'àn | bilateral; both shores | HSK 5 |
| 兩側 | liǎngcè | two sides; both sides | HSK 6 |
| 兩手 | liǎngshǒu | one's two hands; two prongs (of a strategy) | HSK 6 |
| 有兩下子 | yǒu liǎngxiàzi | to have real skill; to know one's stuff | HSK 7-9 |
| 兩棲 | liǎngqī | amphibious; dual-talented | HSK 7-9 |
| 兩口子 | liǎngkǒuzi | husband and wife | HSK 7-9 |
| 兩者 | liǎngzhě | both of them; the two of them | |
| 兩樣 | liǎngyàng | not the same; different | |
| 兩倍 | liǎngbèi | twice as much; double the amount | |
| 兩句 | liǎngjù | (say) a few words | |
| 兩下 | liǎngxià | twice; for a little while | |
| 兩面 | liǎngmiàn | both sides | |
| 兩頭 | liǎngtóu | both ends; both parties to a deal |
Characters that contain 兩
Learning 兩 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 兩
How many strokes are in 兩?
兩 is written with 8 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 兩 mean?
兩 (liǎng) means two, both, pair, couple; ounce. A common word with it is 两边 (liǎngbiān), meaning "either side; both sides".
How do you pronounce 兩?
兩 is pronounced liǎng, in the third tone (dipping).
What is the radical of 兩?
The radical of 兩 is 入, which carries the idea of "to enter". Dictionaries list 兩 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 兩?
兩 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 两, used in mainland China and Singapore.
When do I use 二 (èr) instead of 兩 (liǎng)?
Use 二 when counting numbers, in ordinals like 第二 (dì èr, second), and in larger numbers like 十二 (shí'èr, twelve). Use 兩 before measure words, as in 兩杯茶 (liǎng bēi chá, two cups of tea).
Can 兩 mean a few and not exactly two?
Yes. In casual speech 兩 can mean a couple or a few, as in 說兩句 (shuō liǎng jù, say a few words). The idiom 有兩下子 (yǒu liǎngxiàzi) means someone has real skill.