Meaning of 俩
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- two (colloquial equivalent of 兩個|两个)
- both
- some
- used in 伎倆|伎俩[ji4 liang3]
How to use 俩
俩 (liǎ) is a casual spoken way to say 两个 (liǎng gè), so it already includes the measure word. It often follows pronouns or nouns, as in 我们俩 (wǒmen liǎ). Example: 咱俩一起去吧。(Zán liǎ yìqǐ qù ba.) Let's the two of us go together.
俩 is 亻 (person) next to 两 (liǎng, two), so picture two people standing side by side. The sound liǎ is also close to 两 (liǎng), which helps you link it to "two".
Common mistake: Learners often say 俩个 (liǎ gè), but 俩 already contains 个, so just say 俩 or 两个. Also do not confuse it with 两 (liǎng). The person radical 亻 on the left is what makes it 俩.
俩 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.
俩 liǎ · two · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Related words
Words that share a character with 俩.
| 咱俩 | zánliǎ | the two of us |
| 伎俩 | jìliǎng | trick; scheme; ploy; skill |
Questions about 俩
What does 俩 mean?
俩 (liǎ) means "two (colloquial equivalent of 兩個|两个); both".
How do you write 俩?
俩 is made of 1 character: 俩 (9 strokes). That is 9 strokes in total.
Is 俩 an HSK word?
Yes. 俩 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 俩 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 俩 is written 倆.
When is 俩 pronounced liǎng instead of liǎ?
Only in the word 伎俩 (jìliǎng), meaning a trick or scheme. Everywhere else it is read liǎ.
Can 俩 mean more than exactly two?
Yes, in casual speech it can mean "a few", as in 就这么俩钱 (jiù zhème liǎ qián), just this little bit of money. Context tells you whether it means exactly two or a small amount.