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    Chinese Grammar

    Classifying pairs with the measure word 双 (shuāng)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 双 + Noun

    Explanation

    双 (shuāng) is a measure word meaning "pair," used to count items that naturally come in twos, such as shoes, hands, eyes, or chopsticks. It is placed between a number and the noun it quantifies. For example, 四双 means "four pairs."

    Examples

    • 我买了两双新鞋，一双运动鞋一双皮鞋。

      wǒ mǎi le liǎng shuāng xīn xié, yī shuāng yùndòngxié yī shuāng píxié.

      I bought two new pairs of shoes, one pair of sneakers and one pair of leather shoes.

    • 这双筷子是竹子做的，用着很舒服。

      zhè shuāng kuàizi shì zhúzi zuò de, yòng zhe hěn shūfu.

      This pair of chopsticks is made of bamboo and is very comfortable to use.

    • 她有一双很漂亮的大眼睛。

      tā yǒu yī shuāng hěn piàoliang de dà yǎnjīng.

      She has a pair of very beautiful big eyes.

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    Classifying pairs with the measure word 双 (shuāng) | Chinese Grammar