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两端 (liǎng duān) — the two ends; both ends (of a length, range, or situation); the two extremes; going from one extreme to the other; indecision, vacillation

Definition

Literally 'both ends' of something physical, or figuratively the two opposing extremes of a situation. Often appears in phrases like 犹豫两端 ('waver between extremes') meaning indecision.

noun
the two endsboth ends (of a length, range, or situation)the two extremesgoing from one extreme to the otherindecisionvacillation

Examples

  • 两端。
    Zhè tiáo shéng zi de liǎng duān dōu yǐ jīng mó sǔn le.
    Both ends of this rope are already worn out.
  • 两端，。
    Tā zuò shì zǒng shì yóu yù liǎng duān, méi yǒu zhǔ jiàn.
    He always hesitates between two extremes when doing things and has no definite opinion.
  • 两端，。
    Zhè ge fāng àn de liǎng duān gè yǒu yōu quē diǎn, xū yào quán héng.
    The two ends of this plan each have pros and cons — they need to be weighed.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

两liǎngtwo
端duānend

两 gives the number two, and 端 gives the ends.

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.

Open 两 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
立立lì
Sound part声符shēngfú
耑
耑zhuān端duān
Same sound today

端 is made by putting 立 beside 耑. The 立 part is connected to the meaning, and 耑 gives the sound.

Open 端 →
Appears in
Abstract Concepts

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