Traditional: 雙
shuāng HSK 3

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

我买了一双鞋。
Wǒ mǎi le yī shuāng xié.
I bought a pair of shoes.
她有一双大眼睛。
Tā yǒu yī shuāng dà yǎnjīng.
She has a pair of big eyes.
这双筷子很新。
Zhè shuāng kuàizi hěn xīn.
This pair of chopsticks is very new.
我有一双鞋。
Wǒ yǒu yī shuāng xié.
I have a pair of shoes.
她买双袜子。
Tā mǎi shuāng wàzi.
She buys a pair of socks.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of the character 双, which looks like two '又' (again) stacked, symbolizing two of something. Associate it with common pairs like shoes (一双鞋) to reinforce its meaning.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in tone and used in both formal and informal contexts, spoken and written. It is most commonly applied to body parts (e.g., hands, eyes) and paired items like footwear or gloves. In modern usage, it can extend to abstract pairs, such as 双赢 (win-win).

📖 Grammar Points

Used as a classifier: 双 + noun (e.g., 一双鞋). As an adjective: 双 + noun (e.g., 双层巴士). In fixed structures: 成双成对 (in pairs, often for couples).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 双 is associated with good luck and harmony, as even numbers are considered auspicious. It appears in idioms like 好事成双 (good things come in pairs), reflecting a preference for symmetry and balance.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 对 (duì), which also means 'pair,' 双 emphasizes natural or functional pairing (e.g., body parts, shoes), while 对 often implies a matched set or couple (e.g., a pair of earrings, a married couple). 双 is more specific to symmetrical items.

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