都 dōu / dū — all; both (if two things are involved); entirely (due to)each; even; already; (surname)
我们都喜欢音乐。Wǒ men dōu xǐ huan yīn yuè.We all like music.
Common words: 首都 (shǒu dū)、全都 (quán dōu)、大都 (dà dōu)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "both"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "both", including 都 (dōu / dū), 又 (yòu), 两 (liǎng), 双 (shuāng), 既 (jì), 俩 (liǎ / liǎng). Study pinyin…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "both" covers 6 different Chinese characters — 都 (dōu / dū), 又 (yòu), 两 (liǎng), 双 (shuāng), 既 (jì), 俩 (liǎ / liǎng) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 6 characters do not share a sound — their readings span dōu, dū, yòu, liǎng, shuāng, jì, and more — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 都 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 都 dōu / dūall; both (if two things are involved); entirely (due to)each; even; already; (surname)Useful words: 首都, 全都
- 又 yòu(once) again; also; both... and...; againUseful words: 又来了, 重又
- 两 liǎngboth; two; ounce; some; a few; taelUseful words: 两边, 两岸
- 双 shuāngtwo; double; pair; bothUseful words: 双方, 双手
- 既 jìalready; since; both... (and...)Useful words: 既然, 一如既往
Common words for these 6 "both" characters
Anchor each of these 6 characters in a word you can picture — start with 都 (dōu / dū) — so "both" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
首都shǒu dūcapital (city)全都quán dōuall; without exception大都dà dōufor the most part; on the whole又来了yòu lái leHere we go again.重又chóng yòuonce again又一次yòu yī cìyet again; once again; once more两边liǎng biāneither side; both sides两岸liǎng ànbilateral; both shores; both sides; both coasts两侧liǎng cètwo sides; both sides双方shuāng fāngbilateral; both sides; both parties involved
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 6 ways to say "both".
又 yòu — (once) again; also; both... and...; again
他又迟到了。Tā yòu chí dào le.He is late again.
Common words: 又来了 (yòu lái le)、重又 (chóng yòu)、又一次 (yòu yī cì)
两 liǎng — both; two; ounce; some; a few; tael
我有两个妹妹。Wǒ yǒu liǎng ge mèi mei.I have two younger sisters.
Common words: 两边 (liǎng biān)、两岸 (liǎng àn)、两侧 (liǎng cè)
双 shuāng — two; double; pair; both
她给我买了一双新鞋。Tā gěi wǒ mǎi le yì shuāng xīn xié.She bought me a new pair of shoes.
Common words: 双方 (shuāng fāng)、双手 (shuāng shǒu)、双胞胎 (shuāng bāo tāi)
既 jì — already; since; both... (and...)
这家餐厅既干净又便宜。Zhè jiā cān tīng jì gān jìng yòu pián yi.This restaurant is both clean and cheap.
Common words: 既然 (jì rán)、一如既往 (yī rú jì wǎng)、既是 (jì shì)
俩 liǎ / liǎng — (a numeral-measure word) two; both; craft; cunning
咱们俩是从小一起长大的朋友。Zán men liǎ shì cóng xiǎo yì qǐ zhǎng dà de péng you.The two of us are friends who grew up together.
Common words: 俩钱 (liǎ qián)、哥俩 (gē liǎ)、姐俩 (jiě liǎ)
All 6 characters
Open 都、又、两 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.