Readings: リョウ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: both, quantity, pair
The kanji 両 (りょう) is said to be a pictograph of a cart with two wheels, thus representing “both” or “a pair”.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 両 consists of 6 strokes. It starts with the two horizontal strokes at the top, followed by the two short vertical strokes inside, and finally the two long diagonal strokes crossing at the bottom.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 入 (にゅう) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- リョウ (Ryou)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- ()
Common Words Using 両
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 両方 | りょうほう | both sides; both parties |
| 両親 | りょうしん | parents |
| 両替 | りょうがえ | money exchange |
| 両手 | りょうて | both hands |
| 両目 | りょうめ | both eyes |
| 両側 | りょうがわ | both sides |
| 両立 | りょうりつ | coexistence; compatibility; standing together |
| 両日 | りょうじつ | both days |
| 両国 | りょうこく | both countries |
| 両者 | りょうしゃ | both parties; both persons |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 両方とも正解です。
Kana: りょうほうともせいかいです。
Romaji: Ryouhou tomo seikai desu.
English: Both are correct.
Japanese: 両親に感謝しています。
Kana: りょうしんにかんしゃしています。
Romaji: Ryoushin ni kansha shite imasu.
English: I am grateful to my parents.
Japanese: 駅で両替ができますか？
Kana: えきでりょうがえができますか？
Romaji: Eki de ryougae ga dekimasu ka?
English: Can I exchange money at the station?
Japanese: 彼は両手で荷物を持っています。
Kana: かれはりょうてでにもつをもっています。
Romaji: Kare wa ryoute de nimotsu o motte imasu.
English: He is holding the luggage with both hands.
Japanese: 両目でしっかりと見てください。
Kana: りょうめでしっかりとみてください。
Romaji: Ryoume de shikkari to mite kudasai.
English: Please look carefully with both eyes.
Japanese: 道路の両側に木が並んでいます。
Kana: どうろのりょうがわにきがならんでいます。
Romaji: Douro no ryougawa ni ki ga narande imasu.
English: Trees are lined up on both sides of the road.
Japanese: 仕事と家庭の両立は大変です。
Kana: しごととかていのりょうりつはたいへんです。
Romaji: Shigoto to katei no ryouritsu wa taihen desu.
English: Balancing work and family is difficult.
Japanese: イベントは両日とも晴れでした。
Kana: イベントはりょうじつともはれでした。
Romaji: Ibento wa ryoujitsu tomo hare deshita.
English: The event was sunny on both days.
Japanese: 両国間の関係は良好です。
Kana: りょうこくかんのかんけいはりょうこうです。
Romaji: Ryoukoku-kan no kankei wa ryoukou desu.
English: The relationship between both countries is good.
Japanese: 両者の意見を聞くことが重要です。
Kana: りょうしゃのいけんをきくことがじゅうようです。
Romaji: Ryousha no iken o kiku koto ga juuyou desu.
English: It is important to hear the opinions of both parties.
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