两 (liǎng) — (numeral) two (used before measure words and units of time); (numeral, adjective) both (of two sides or symmetrical items)
Definition
两 (liǎng) is the form of 'two' used before a measure word (两本书, 两个人) and to mean 'both' (两条胳膊). For plain counting or in phone numbers, use 二 instead.
numeral
two (used before measure words and units of time)
classifier
(numeral, adjective) both (of two sides or symmetrical items)
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 gē bo dōu shòu shāng le.Both of her arms are injured.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo 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.
- 一一yī
- 㒳㒳㒳
The traditional form 兩 is described as combining 一 and 㒳. The simplified 两 is a later abbreviation.
Grammar
Appears in
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