What does 两 mean in Chinese?

两 (liǎng) means "two; both; some; a few; tael, unit of weight equal to 50 grams (modern) or 1⁄16 of a catty 斤[jin1] (old)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 两?

两 is pronounced "liǎng" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 两?

两 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 2 on the old exam, HSK 1 on the new one.

What words contain the character 两?

Common words with 两 include 三两 (two or three), 一刀两断 (lit. two segments with a single cut (idiom)), 一国两制 (one country, two systems (PRC proposal regarding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan)), 一折两段 (to split sth into two (idiom)), 一拍两散 ((of marriage or business partners) to break up (idiom)).

How do you write 两?

两 has 7 strokes. Its radical is 一. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

两 (liǎng), two

两

liǎng

two; both; some; a few

HSK 1 Was HSK 27 strokes

Traditional: 兩

Character Breakdown

两 = 一 + 冂 + 人 + 人

Two people inside a frame — a pair

Radical: 一 (no. 1)Strokes: 7Traditional: 兩

View stroke order →

Definitions

two
both
some
a few
tael, unit of weight equal to 50 grams (modern) or 1⁄16 of a catty 斤[jin1] (old)

Example Sentences

两个苹果。

Liǎng gè píngguǒ

Two apples

Words Containing 两

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
三两	sān liǎng	two or three
一刀两断	yī dāo liǎng duàn	lit. two segments with a single cut (idiom)
一国两制	yī guó liǎng zhì	one country, two systems (PRC proposal regarding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan)
一折两段	yī zhé liǎng duàn	to split sth into two (idiom)
一拍两散	yī pāi liǎng sàn

→

哩(lǐ)· mile (unit of length equal to 1,609.344 m)

→

市两(shì liǎng)· Chinese unit of weight equivalent to 50 grams

→

市担(shì dàn)· Chinese unit of weight equal to 100 jin (or 50 kg)

→

Grammar Notes

Basic Measure Words (个, 本, 杯)HSK 1

Number / 这 / 那 + Measure Word + Noun

Completed Action with 了HSK 1

Subject + Verb + 了 + Object

Number + Measure Word + NounHSK 1

Number + Measure Word + Noun

Comparison with 比HSK 2

A 比 B + Adjective (+ Specific Amount)

Duration ComplementHSK 2

Subject + Verb + 了 + Duration (+ Object)

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 2
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

两: HSK 2 on the old exam, HSK 1 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 两 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

两