Meaning of 双手
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- both hands
How to use 双手
双手 is a slightly formal or written way to say both hands, common in instructions, stories and set phrases about effort or giving something politely. Example: 请用双手拿好。(Qǐng yòng shuāngshǒu ná hǎo.) Please hold it with both hands.
双 (shuāng) shows two 又 hands side by side, meaning a pair. Put it before 手 (shǒu), hand, and you get a pair of hands: both hands.
Common mistake: Learners often say 两手 or 两个手 when they mean both hands. 两个手 is wrong, and 双手 is the natural choice in most sentences. Also keep the first tone on 双 (shuāng). Do not drop it to shuǎng.
双手 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.
双 shuāng · two · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
手 shǒu · hand · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Related words
Words that share a character with 双手.
| 手机 | shǒujī | cell phone; mobile phone |
| 洗手间 | xǐshǒujiān | toilet; lavatory |
| 手表 | shǒubiǎo | wristwatch |
| 举手 | jǔshǒu | to raise a hand; to put up one's hand (as signal) |
| 手指 | shǒuzhǐ | finger |
| 对手 | duìshǒu | opponent; rival |
| 选手 | xuǎnshǒu | athlete; contestant |
| 歌手 | gēshǒu | singer |
| 双方 | shuāngfāng | bilateral; both sides |
| 握手 | wòshǒu | to shake hands |
| 手续 | shǒuxù | procedure; formalities |
| 分手 | fēnshǒu | to part company; to split up |
Questions about 双手
What does 双手 mean?
双手 (shuāng shǒu) means "both hands".
How do you write 双手?
双手 is made of 2 characters: 双 (4 strokes), 手 (4 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 双手 an HSK word?
Yes. 双手 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 双手 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 双手 is written 雙手.
What is the difference between 双手 and 两只手?
Both mean two hands, but 双手 treats them as a natural pair and sounds smoother and more literary. 两只手 (liǎng zhī shǒu) is more neutral and is often used when counting, as in 我有两只手 (Wǒ yǒu liǎng zhī shǒu), I have two hands.
Why do Chinese people use 双手 when giving business cards or gifts?
Handing something over with both hands is a sign of respect in Chinese culture. You will often hear 双手递给 (shuāngshǒu dì gěi), to hand over with both hands, in this context.