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雙 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
雙shuāngpair, couple; both; measure word for things that come in pairszg, 18 strokes, radical 隹
shuāng(shuang1)shuang T1
  1. 1pair, couple; both; measure word for things that come in pairs
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March 24, 2026

雙shuāng(shuang1)

The character 雙 (shuāng) primarily means 'pair' or 'couple' and is often used to describe items that exist in pairs, such as shoes or chopsticks. It can also indicate both of something, emphasizing a duality. This character is commonly used in everyday conversation and is essential when discussing quantities involving pairs.

Strokes18Radical隹
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of pairs is often associated with harmony and balance, reflecting traditional values that emphasize duality, such as yin and yang. This is particularly evident in weddings, where the symbolism of pairs is prevalent.

Memory tip

Imagine two swans swimming together in a lake, representing a perfect pair. The character 雙 has two 'swans' (the two parts of the character) that mirror each other, symbolizing the concept of pairing.

Meanings of 雙

shuāng(shuang1)
1pair, couple; both; measure word for things that come in pairs
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 雙

雙Simplified
18Strokes
隹Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 雙

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Podcast: 雙

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AI study notes for 雙

Quick Contrast

双 (shuāng) vs 对 (duì) — use 双 for specific pairs of items, while 对 refers more generally to pairs or matching items.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 雙 with other similar characters, like 一对 (yī duì), which also means 'a pair'. 雙 is often used in a more general sense, while 一对 is more specific. In informal settings, you might hear it used to discuss romantic couples as well.

HSK Study Tips

While 雙 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is beneficial to know as it relates to basic counting and categorization of objects. Students should focus on using it in context with other measure words to strengthen their understanding of Chinese quantifiers.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 雙 with singular nouns, such as saying '雙鞋子' instead of '一雙鞋子' (yī shuāng xiézi). Always remember to use it with a number to indicate the pair.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 雙

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Etymology of 雙

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 雙. Depicts a pair of hands.

Memory hint

A pair of lovebirds 雔 perched on a branch 又

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 雙?

Decomposition of 雙

IDS Structure⿱雔又
雙Full character
=
雔chou2
top
又you4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 雙?

How to say pair, couple; both; measure word for things that come in pairs in Chinese

“pair, couple; both; measure word for things that come in pairs” in Chinese is雙shuāng

The character 雙 (shuāng) primarily means 'pair' or 'couple' and is often used to describe items that exist in pairs, such as shoes or chopsticks. It can also indicate both of something, emphasizing a duality. This character is commonly used in everyday conversation and is essential when discussing quantities involving pairs.

When to use 雙

Be careful not to confuse 雙 with other similar characters, like 一对 (yī duì), which also means 'a pair'. 雙 is often used in a more general sense, while 一对 is more specific. In informal settings, you might hear it used to discuss romantic couples as well.

雙 or something close to it

双 (shuāng) vs 对 (duì) — use 双 for specific pairs of items, while 对 refers more generally to pairs or matching items.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 雙 with singular nouns, such as saying '雙鞋子' instead of '一雙鞋子' (yī shuāng xiézi). Always remember to use it with a number to indicate the pair.

Write 雙

雙

Practice writing 雙 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 雙

Words containing this character20
双shuāngtwo雙
双方shuāngfāngbilateral雙方
双手shuāngshǒuboth hands雙手
双胞胎shuāngbāotāitwin雙胞胎
双重shuāngchóngdouble雙重
双子座Gemini (constellation and sign of the zodiac)雙子座
双鱼座Pisces (constellation and sign of the zodiac)雙魚座
双人two-person雙人
双向shuāngxiàngtwo-way雙向
双面double-sided雙面
双边shuāngbiānbilateral雙邊
双关pun雙關
双层double tier雙層
双亲parents雙親
双臂arms雙臂
双脚two legs雙腳
双打shuāngdǎdoubles (in sports)雙打
双关语pun雙關語
女双women's doubles (in tennis, badminton etc)女雙
双休日two-day weekend雙休日
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 雙

What does 双 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 雙

Common examples include 雙鞋 (shuāng xié, 'pair of shoes') and 雙筷子 (shuāng kuàizi, 'pair of chopsticks').

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