Meaning of 两
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- two
- both
- some
- a few
- tael, unit of weight equal to 50 grams (modern) or 1⁄16 of a catty 斤[jin1] (old)
How to use 两
Use 两 (liǎng) for two of something before a measure word, as in 两个人 (liǎng ge rén, two people), and use 二 (èr) when counting or in numbers like 十二 (shí'èr, twelve). It also means both, as in 两边 (liǎngbiān, both sides). Example: 我要两杯咖啡。(Wǒ yào liǎng bēi kāfēi.) I want two cups of coffee.
Picture 两 (liǎng) as a balance scale: the top line is the beam, and the two 人-like marks inside hang in two pans side by side. Two pans, two people, so it means two or both.
Common mistake: Learners often say 二个 (èr ge) instead of 两个 (liǎng ge); before a measure word you almost always need 两. Also note the tone is third tone, liǎng, not liàng like 亮 (bright).
两 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
两 liǎng · two · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 两.
| 两边 | liǎngbiān | either side; both sides |
| 两岸 | liǎng'àn | bilateral; both shores |
| 两侧 | liǎngcè | two sides; both sides |
| 两手 | liǎngshǒu | one's two hands; two prongs (of a strategy) |
| 有两下子 | yǒu liǎngxiàzi | to have real skill; to know one's stuff |
| 两栖 | liǎngqī | amphibious; dual-talented |
| 两口子 | liǎngkǒuzi | husband and wife |
| 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 |
Questions about 两
What does 两 mean?
两 (liǎng) means "two; both" and is used as a numeral and measure word.
How do you write 两?
两 is made of 1 character: 两 (7 strokes). That is 7 strokes in total.
Is 两 an HSK word?
Yes. 两 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 两 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 两 is written 兩.
Can 两 mean a few instead of exactly two?
Yes. In casual speech 两 can mean a couple or a few, as in 说两句 (shuō liǎng jù, say a few words). The context tells you whether it means exactly two.
What is 两 as a unit of weight?
As a measure word, 两 is a tael, which today equals 50 grams, so ten 两 make one 斤 (jīn). You still hear it at markets and noodle shops, as in 二两面 (èr liǎng miàn, 100 grams of noodles).