两两 (liǎng liǎng) — in twos, two by two, in pairs

Definition

两两 is a literary adverb meaning 'in pairs / two by two', typically modifying paired actions like 相对 or 进入. More formal and written than saying 两个人一组.

adverb

in twostwo by twoin pairs

两两，。
Xué shēng men liǎng liǎng yì zǔ, kāi shǐ tǎo lùn.
The students formed groups of two and began discussing.
两两，。
liǎng liǎng Xiāng duì dì zhàn zhe, shuí yě bù shuō huà.
They stood facing each other in pairs, neither saying anything.
两两，。
Cān sài zhě liǎng liǎng jìn rù chǎng dì, zhǔn bèi bǐ sài.
The contestants entered the venue two by two, ready to compete.

Reduplicated word

构词法gòucífǎ

重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

两 means two, and repeating it expresses two by two or in pairs.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 兩; 两 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 兩 is described as combining 一 and 㒳. The simplified 两 is a later abbreviation.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 兩; 两 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 兩 is described as combining 一 and 㒳. The simplified 两 is a later abbreviation.