Meaning of 两岸
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- bilateral
- both shores
- both sides
- both coasts
- Taiwan and mainland
How to use 两岸
两岸 describes the two banks of a river or strait, and in news and politics it very often means mainland China and Taiwan. Example: 河的两岸种满了树。(Hé de liǎng'àn zhòng mǎn le shù.) Both banks of the river are full of trees.
两 (liǎng) means two, and 岸 (àn) means shore or bank. Picture yourself in a boat in the middle of a river, looking at the two banks on either side.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes say 二岸 because 二 (èr) also means two, but before a measure-like noun such as 岸 Chinese uses 两, so only 两岸 is correct. Also keep 岸 (àn) in the fourth tone. Do not confuse it with 安 (ān, peace).
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
岸 àn · bank · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Related words
Words that share a character with 两岸.
| 两边 | liǎngbiān | either side; both sides |
| 岸上 | àn shang | ashore; on the riverbank |
| 两侧 | liǎngcè | two sides; both sides |
| 两手 | liǎngshǒu | one's two hands; two prongs (of a strategy) |
| 海岸 | hǎi'àn | coastal; seacoast |
| 沿岸 | yán'àn | coastal area; littoral or riparian |
| 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 |
Questions about 两岸
What does 两岸 mean?
两岸 (liǎng'àn) means "bilateral; both shores" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 两岸?
两岸 is made of 2 characters: 两 (7 strokes), 岸 (8 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 两岸 an HSK word?
Yes. 两岸 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 两岸 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 两岸 is written 兩岸.
What does 两岸关系 mean?
两岸关系 (liǎng'àn guānxì) means cross-strait relations, the relationship between mainland China and Taiwan. In political contexts 两岸 alone is usually understood this way, even without mentioning a river or strait.
What is the difference between 两岸 and 两边?
两边 (liǎngbiān) is general and can mean both sides of anything, like a road, a table, or an argument. 两岸 is specifically about two shores of water, or the mainland and Taiwan.