両: the kanji for both
両 is a JLPT N3 kanji that means both. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
両 is written in 6 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
両 has 1 reading in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 5 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
リョウ (ryou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 両方りょうほう · ryōhō | both |
| 両親りょうしん · ryōshin | parents |
| 両手りょうて · ryōte | both hands |
| 両替りょうがえ · ryōgae | money exchange |
| 車両しゃりょう · sharyō | vehicle; train car |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 両方とも好きです。Ryōhō tomo suki desu.I like both of them.
- 来週、両親が東京に来ます。Raishū, ryōshin ga Tōkyō ni kimasu.My parents are coming to Tokyo next week.
- 両手に荷物を持っていた。Ryōte ni nimotsu o motte ita.I was carrying luggage in both hands.
- …駅の窓口で円をドルに両替した。Eki no madoguchi de en o doru ni ryōgae shita.I exchanged yen for dollars at the station counter.
- この電車は八両編成です。Kono densha wa hachiryō hensei desu.This train has eight cars.
Questions about 両
How many strokes does 両 have?
両 is written in 6 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 両?
The on readings are ryou (リョウ). 両 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What JLPT level is 両?
N3. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N3 falls between the former Levels 2 and 3.
More JLPT N3 kanji
Qualities and conditions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 両
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.