三两 (sān liǎng) — two or three (indicating a small number); a few

Definition

三两 is an idiomatic "a few; two or three" — a vague small number used for time, words, or strokes, not a precise count.

numeral
two or three (indicating a small number)a few

Examples

  • 三两。
    Tā zhǐ yòng sān liǎng jù huà jiù shuō míng le wèn tí.
    He only used a few words to explain the problem.
  • 三两。
    Wǒ zhī xū yào sān liǎng fēn zhōng jiù néng zuò wán.
    I only need a few minutes to finish.
  • ，三两。
    Tā ná qǐ bǐ, sān liǎng xià jiù huà hǎo le.
    He picked up the pen and finished drawing in a few strokes.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

三sānthree
两liǎngtwo

三 and 两 stand side by side to mean a small count of two or three.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

三 is drawn as three parallel strokes, like 一 with one stroke and 二 with two.

Open 三 →

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.

Open 两 →

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