Meaning of 两边
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- either side; both sides
How to use 两边
两边 describes both sides of a place or thing, like a street, a river, or a table, and it can also mean both parties in a situation. It often comes after a noun with 的 or directly: 马路两边都是树。(Mǎlù liǎngbiān dōu shì shù.) There are trees on both sides of the road.
两 (liǎng) means two, and 边 (biān) means side, so 两边 is simply "two sides." Picture a road with 两 people standing on each 边, one on the left and one on the right.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes say 二边 (èr biān) because 二 also means two, but with measure-like words such as 边 you must use 两 (liǎng). Also keep the tone on 两 as third tone, liǎng, not fourth tone.
两边 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
边 biān · side · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 两边.
| 那边 | nàbiān | over there; yonder |
| 这边 | zhèbiān | this side; here |
| 一边 | yībiān | one side; either side |
| 旁边 | pángbiān | side; adjacent place |
| 左边 | zuǒbian | left; the left side |
| 右边 | yòubian | right side; right, to the right |
| 里边 | lǐbian | inside |
| 北边 | běibian | north; north side |
| 外边 | wàibian | outside; outer surface |
| 南边 | nánbian | south; south side |
| 东边 | dōngbian | east; east side |
| 西边 | xībian | west; west side |
Questions about 两边
What does 两边 mean?
两边 (liǎngbiān) means "either side; both sides" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 两边?
两边 is made of 2 characters: 两 (7 strokes), 边 (5 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 两边 an HSK word?
Yes. 两边 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 两边 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 两边 is written 兩邊.
What is the difference between 两边 and 一边?
两边 (liǎngbiān) means both sides together. 一边 (yībiān) means one side, and in the pattern 一边…一边… it means doing two actions at the same time, which 两边 cannot do.
Can 两边 refer to people instead of places?
Yes. It can mean both parties or both groups, for example 两边都不同意 (liǎngbiān dōu bù tóngyì), neither side agrees. This is common when talking about disputes, families, or two teams.