(liàng) — (classifier) used for vehicles

Definition

辆 is a measure word used only for vehicles (cars, bikes, motorcycles, buses). Note: 轻型 is the adjective 'light' (weight/capacity), not a related measure word.

classifier
used for vehicles

Examples

  • Lù shang yǒu liǎng liàng qì chē.
    There are two cars on the road.
  • Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yí liàng zì xíng chē.
    I want to buy a bicycle.
  • Nà liàng mó tuō chē shì tā de.
    That motorcycle is his.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 輛; 辆 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
vehicle
Sound part声符shēngfú
liǎngliàng
Same sound today

The traditional form 輛 uses 車 to show it is about vehicles and 兩 to indicate its sound; the simplified 辆 is a shorthand.

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