两 Stroke Order — How to Write 两

Stroke Order

两 is written in 7 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 一, then complete the remaining strokes.

Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.

两 Radical and Character Components

Components:一冂从

两 is an ideographic compound. Two people 从 together in a cart.

Radical: 一 + 6 more strokes

两 Pronunciation and Pinyin

liǎng

Meanings of 两 in Chinese

liǎng两

Used to denote the number 'two' or 'a couple of', typically preceding a measure word or specific units like '个 (gè)', '半 (bàn)', '千 (qiān)', '万 (wàn)', '亿 (yì)'.

我昨天买了两个橘子。

I bought two oranges yesterday.

Refers to both sides or two aspects of something.

这条路两边都是商店。

Both sides of this road are lined with shops.

A traditional Chinese unit of weight, where ten liǎng (两) equal one market jin (市斤). Historically, sixteen liǎng made one market jin. It is also prominently used in the idiom 'bàn jīn bā liǎng' (半斤八两), which literally means 'half a jin, eight liǎng' (since one jin equals ten liǎng in the modern system or sixteen in the old, this phrase implies equal measure). This idiom is used to describe two things or people that are equally matched, often with a slight negative or critical connotation, implying 'six of one and half a dozen of the other' or 'no better than each other'.

他们俩的能力真是半斤八两，谁也别说谁。

Their abilities are truly six of one and half a dozen of the other; neither should criticize the other.

Indicating an indefinite, usually small, number or quantity; often used in phrases describing some skill or ability.

他有两下子，很快就修好了

He's got some skills; he fixed it very quickly.

Common Words and Phrases with 两

liǎng两bài败jù俱shāng伤

Both parties suffer losses or are weakened in a conflict, with neither gaining an advantage.

他们为了争夺市场份额，进行价格战，最终导致两败俱伤

They launched a price war to compete for market share, which ultimately led to both sides suffering heavy losses.

liǎng两bàn半

two halves

她把苹果切成了两半，分给了她的弟弟。

She cut the apple into two halves and gave one to her younger brother.

liǎng两biān边

Both sides or both directions.

我们可以把这个沙发搬到房间的两边。

We can move this sofa to both sides of the room.

liǎng两biān边dǎo倒

To waver or lean now to one side, now to the other, lacking a firm and consistent stance.

面对两种不同的观点，他总是两边倒，让人搞不清楚他真正的立场。

When faced with two different viewpoints, he always wavers, making it difficult for people to understand his true position.

liǎng两biàn便

convenient for both parties; make things easy for both

我们最好把会议时间定在下午，这样对你我来说都比较两便。

It's best if we schedule the meeting in the afternoon, as it would be more convenient for both you and me.

liǎng两cáo曹

Both plaintiff and defendant; both parties in a lawsuit.

在法庭上，法官仔细审视了两曹提交的证据。

In court, the judge carefully examined the evidence submitted by both the plaintiff and the defendant.

liǎng两cì次

Twice

我把这个词写错了两次。

I wrote this word incorrectly twice.

liǎng两dǐ抵

to balance or cancel each other out; to offset each other

根据合同条款，我们可以对双方的债务进行两抵，以简化结算流程。

According to the contract terms, we can perform a mutual offset of both parties' debts to simplify the settlement process.

liǎng两dū都

The two capitals, Chang'an (Western Han) and Luoyang (Eastern Han), especially as featured in Ban Gu's 'Liangdu Fu' (Rhapsody on the Two Capitals).

班固的《两都赋》是研究汉代都城文化的重要文献，对后世文学产生了深远影响。

Ban Gu's "Liang Du Fu" is an important historical text for understanding the urban culture of the Han dynasty, and it profoundly influenced subsequent literary works.

liǎng两gè个shí时hòu候

two two-hour periods, or four hours

这道菜需要文火慢炖两个时候，味道才会浓郁。

This dish needs to simmer on low heat for two shichen (four hours) for the flavor to be rich.

liǎng两guǎng广

Guangdong and Guangxi provinces

两广地区夏季炎热多雨，适合种植热带水果。

The Liangguang region experiences hot and rainy summers, making it suitable for cultivating tropical fruits.

liǎng两hàn汉

The Western Han and Eastern Han Dynasties.

两汉时期，中国在文化、科技和艺术方面取得了长足发展，留下了许多宝贵的历史遗产。

During the Two Han Dynasties, China made significant advancements in culture, science, technology, and art, leaving behind many valuable historical legacies.

liǎng两hú湖

Hubei and Hunan Provinces