双 (shuāng) — pair; both; double (measure word)

双 (shuāng)

双 is the measure word for things that come in pairs: shoes, socks, gloves, chopsticks, eyes, and hands. It can also function as an adjective meaning "double" or "both." Compare it with 对 (duì), which is used for couples of people or matched sets like earrings.

Meanings

1. [mw] Pair — counts objects that naturally come in twos (shoes, socks, chopsticks).
2. [adj] Double; both; twin — describes something that has two matching parts.

Example Sentences

我买了一双鞋。 Wǒ mǎi le yī shuāng xié. I bought a pair of shoes.

这双手套很暖和。 Zhè shuāng shǒutào hěn nuǎnhuo. This pair of gloves is very warm.

她有一双漂亮的眼睛。 Tā yǒu yī shuāng piàoliang de yǎnjing. She has a pair of beautiful eyes.

请帮我拿一双筷子。 Qǐng bāng wǒ ná yī shuāng kuàizi. Please get me a pair of chopsticks.

Collocations

Memory Hook

双 looks like two hands placed side by side — the character itself shows a symmetrical pair, perfectly matching its meaning.