pair, couple; both; measure word for things that come in pairs
HSK 3, n, 4 strokes, radical 又, rank #916, Medium
双
shuāng
even (number)
HSK 3, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 又, rank #916, Medium
shuāng(shuang1) T1
1double
2two
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March 24, 2026
双(雙)shuāng(shuang1)
The character '双' (shuāng) primarily means 'double' or 'pair.' It is commonly used to refer to two of something, especially items that naturally come in pairs, such as shoes or chopsticks. In contexts involving numbers, it denotes even numbers as well.
Strokes4Radical又Frequency#916DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of pairs is significant, often symbolizing harmony and balance, as seen in traditional couples' gifts and paired decorations during festivals.
Memory Tip
Imagine a pair of swans ('双' sounds like 'shuang') swimming together in perfect harmony. The two swans represent the idea of 'double' or 'pair,' and their synchronized movement helps you remember the character's meaning.
Meanings of 双
shuāng(shuang1)
1double
2two
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 双
双Simplified
雙Traditional
4Strokes
又Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#916Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 双
Podcast: 双
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AI Study Notes for 双
Quick Contrast
双 (shuāng) vs 成对 (chéng duì) — use 双 when referring specifically to the quantity of two, while 成对 emphasizes the concept of being in pairs.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a pair of swans ('双' sounds like 'shuang') swimming together in perfect harmony. The two swans represent the idea of 'double' or 'pair,' and their synchronized movement helps you remember the character's meaning.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using '双' in formal contexts, as it may be less common than '两个' (liǎng gè) for simply saying 'two.' It often collocates with words like '鞋' (xié, shoes) and '胞胎' (bāotāi, twins). Remember to use the correct tone, as a mispronunciation might change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
'双' is part of HSK Level 3 vocabulary, linking with other numbers and measure words. Focus on its usage with pairs and practicing its pronunciation, especially in sentences where it modifies nouns.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of pairs is significant, often symbolizing harmony and balance, as seen in traditional couples' gifts and paired decorations during festivals.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '双' with '对' (duì), which also means 'pair' but is used in different contexts. For example, '双鞋' (shuāng xié) is correct for 'pair of shoes,' while using '对鞋' (duì xié) would be incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 双
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Grammar Patterns of 双
双 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
By mid-season the hostility between the two was undisguised.
Cultural Notes for 双
💡Did you know?
'双' is often used in various contexts in Chinese culture, such as '双喜' (double happiness), which symbolizes good fortune and is commonly seen at weddings.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of pairs is significant, often symbolizing harmony and balance, as seen in traditional couples' gifts and paired decorations during festivals.
Word Family of 双
Compounds3
轰hong1explosion
聂Nie4to whisper; surname
蛧
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
Compound Meaning
What does 轰 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 双
Yes, 双 (Shuāng) is a surname in China, though it is not as common as others like Wang or Li. It can often be found among families in certain regions.
双 (shuāng) specifically refers to pairs or doubles, while 对 (duì) can mean 'opposite' or 'pair' but is often used in different contexts, such as in relationships or comparisons. Understanding the context is key to using these terms correctly.
双 (shuāng) means 'double' or 'pair' in Chinese. It can refer to two of something, and is often used in contexts like '双胞胎' (shuāng bāo tāi) which means 'twins'. Additionally, it can denote even numbers when discussing mathematics.
You can use 双 (shuāng) in sentences to indicate pairs. For example, '我有一双鞋' (Wǒ yǒu yī shuāng xié) means 'I have a pair of shoes'. It is commonly used with nouns to express the idea of two or a pair.
You can say '我买了一双鞋' (Wǒ mǎile yī shuāng xié), meaning 'I bought a pair of shoes.'
'双' can also refer to abstract pairs, such as '双胞胎' (shuāng bāotāi) for 'twins.'
'双' can also indicate even numbers in a mathematical context.
