Definition
两 (liǎng) is used before measure words to mean 'two' (两本书). Unlike 二 (èr), which is for numbers and counting, 两 must be used before a measure word. 俩 (liǎ) is a colloquial contraction of 两个. For 'both (of two sides)', 两 modifies a noun directly (两条胳膊), while 双 (shuāng) is a classifier for pairs (一双鞋).
numeral
two (used before measure words and units of time)
classifier
(numeral, adjective) both (of two sides or symmetrical items)
Easily confused
- 丛cónglook-alike(classifier) for clusters of plants, bushes, grass, or hair
- 亮liàngsound-alikebright; light (in color or illumination)
- 俩liǎlook-aliketwo (colloquial, equivalent to 两个)
- 量liàngsound-aliketo measure
- 辆liànglook-alike(classifier) used for vehicles
- 量liàngsound-alikequantity, amount
- 坐zuòlook-aliketo sit
- 凉liángsound-alikecool, cold
- 内nèilook-alikeinside; within; interior
- 良liángsound-alike(adv, literary) very; used in set phrases before certain adjectives (多, 久, 苦, etc.)
Examples
- 两。Wǒ mǎi le liǎng běn shū.I bought two books.
- 两。Tā jiā yǎng le liǎng zhī māo.His family has two cats.
- 两。Tā de liǎng tiáo gēbo dōu shòushāng le.Both of her arms are injured.
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