两

兩

liǎng

一 + 从 + 冂

HSK 2.0Level 2

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

liǎng (numeral) two

liǎng (adjective) both; some; a few

liǎng (noun) tael (unit of weight equal to 50 grams)

Etymology

Simplified form of 兩. Combination of two 丙 characters. 丙 also represents the sound.

About

两 is the simplified form of 兩, combining two 丙 components with 丙 also indicating the sound. It means "two" or "a pair", and additionally serves as a traditional unit of weight, one tael, or fifty grams, especially for precious metals and medicinal ingredients. The simplification reshaped the original structure into a more compact arrangement of parallel strokes.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我有两个苹果。

Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè píngguǒ.

I have two apples.

两人一起走。

Liǎng rén yīqǐ zǒu.

Two people walk together.

他买了两本书。

Tā mǎi le liǎng běn shū.

He bought two books.

两边都有树。

Liǎng biān dōu yǒu shù.

There are trees on both sides.

我用了两个小时完成作业。

Wǒ yòng le liǎng gè xiǎoshí wánchéng zuòyè.

I used two hours to complete my homework.

他们两个都是我的好朋友。

Tāmen liǎng gè dōu shì wǒ de hǎo péngyǒu.

Both of them are my good friends.

这件事有两方面需要考虑。

Zhè jiàn shì yǒu liǎng fāngmiàn xūyào kǎolǜ.

This matter has two aspects to consider.

两年前，我们第一次见面。

Liǎng nián qián, wǒmen dì yī cì jiànmiàn.

Two years ago, we met for the first time.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 一

Component: 从

Component: 冂

Example Words