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两手 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
两手liǎngshǒuboth handsHSK 7, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #45739, Very Hard
liǎngshǒu(liang3 shou3)
  1. 1both hands
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March 24, 2026

两手liǎngshǒu(liang3 shou3)

两手 (liǎng shǒu) literally means 'two hands' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to both hands together, often in contexts involving physical actions or tasks, such as carrying or holding something. The phrase can also symbolize effort, capability, or the idea of doing something with both hands, emphasizing involvement and commitment.

Strokes11Frequency#45739DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of using both hands can symbolize diligence and hard work, reflecting the cultural value placed on industriousness and effort in achieving tasks. It is common to see phrases like '双手' (both hands) used in literature and sayings to encourage complete involvement.

Memory Tip

Imagine holding a big box with both hands. The character '两' resembles two people standing side by side, representing 'two', while '手' looks like hands reaching out. Together, they depict the image of using both hands to accomplish a task, reinforcing the word's meaning.

Meanings of 两手

liǎngshǒu(liang3 shou3)
1both hands
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 两手

两手Simplified
11Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

Podcast: 两手

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Podcast: 两手

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AI Study Notes for 两手

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse '两手' with just '手' (hand), as it emphasizes the duality of both hands working together. This phrase is more common in informal contexts, and it is often used in conjunction with verbs like '拿' (to hold) or '用' (to use). Remember to pronounce '两' with a rising tone (liǎng) to avoid mixing it up with '两' (liang) meaning two in a different context.

HSK Study Tips

Although '两手' is not a standalone HSK vocabulary word, it can be useful for learners at HSK 2, especially when practicing sentences involving actions performed with both hands. Focus on the pronunciation of both characters and try to use them in simple sentences.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use '手' alone when they mean to emphasize using both hands, which can lead to ambiguity. For example, saying '我用手' (I use a hand) instead of '我用两手' (I use both hands) does not convey the same intent of full effort.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 两手

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Component Characters

两liǎngtwo
HSK 17 strokes一
View full entry
手shǒuhand
HSK 24 strokes手
View full entry

How to say both hands in Chinese

“both hands” in Chinese is两手liǎngshǒu

两手 (liǎng shǒu) literally means 'two hands' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to both hands together, often in contexts involving physical actions or tasks, such as carrying or holding something. The phrase can also symbolize effort, capability, or the idea of doing something with both hands, emphasizing involvement and commitment.

When to use 两手

Be careful not to confuse '两手' with just '手' (hand), as it emphasizes the duality of both hands working together. This phrase is more common in informal contexts, and it is often used in conjunction with verbs like '拿' (to hold) or '用' (to use). Remember to pronounce '两' with a rising tone (liǎng) to avoid mixing it up with '两' (liang) meaning two in a different context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use '手' alone when they mean to emphasize using both hands, which can lead to ambiguity. For example, saying '我用手' (I use a hand) instead of '我用两手' (I use both hands) does not convey the same intent of full effort.

Write 两手

两
手

Practice writing 两手 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 两手

'两手' suggests that both hands are actively engaged in a task, symbolizing full commitment and effort in Chinese culture.

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