双胞
When you want to talk about two babies born at the same time, we use the word 双胞 (shuāngbāo). This literally means 'pair of wrappers' which is a fun way to think about it!
Often, you'll hear it combined with the word 胎 (tāi), which means 'fetus' or 'embryo', to make 双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi).
So, 双胞胎 is the most common way to say 'twins'. For example, if you say '他们是双胞胎', it means 'They are twins'.
When you hear the word "双胞" (shuāng bāo), it usually refers to something that comes in a pair, specifically twins. It's most commonly seen in the phrase "双胞胎" (shuāng bāo tāi), which means twins.
So, if you want to say someone has twins, you would say "她有双胞胎" (tā yǒu shuāng bāo tāi). You can also use "双胞胎" to describe twin objects, like "双胞胎姐妹" (shuāng bāo tāi jiě mèi) for twin sisters.
Remember, "双胞" on its own is like saying "twin-" and needs "胎" to complete the meaning of "twins" as in children. However, it's a good clue that you're talking about a pair of something.
When talking about twins in Chinese, the most common and complete term you'll encounter is 双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi). The word 双胞 (shuāngbāo) directly translates to "twin" or "double fetus" and acts as the core component of this term.
While 双胞 can be understood on its own to refer to twins, it's almost always paired with 胎 (tāi), which means "fetus" or "embryo," to form the complete noun 双胞胎.
You might sometimes see 双胞 used in slightly more technical or medical contexts, or as part of a compound word. However, in everyday conversation, if you want to say "twins," 双胞胎 is the phrase to use.
Think of 双胞 as the root that signifies "twin-ness."
When talking about twins in Chinese, you'll often hear the word 双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi). The word 双胞 (shuāngbāo) itself literally means "twin." It's the core component of 双胞胎, which adds the character 胎 (tāi), meaning "fetus" or "embryo."
So, while 双胞 can stand alone to refer to a twin, it's more commonly seen as part of 双胞胎, which explicitly means "twins" or "twin babies." You might also see it in contexts like 双胞胎兄弟 (shuāngbāotāi xiōngdì) for "twin brothers" or 双胞胎姐妹 (shuāngbāotāi jiěmèi) for "twin sisters." Think of 双胞 as the root word that signifies "twinness."
双胞 in 30 Seconds
- 双胞 means 'twin'.
- It's usually part of 双胞胎 (twin siblings).
- It refers to two individuals born at the same time.
§ What does 双胞 mean?
The Chinese word 双胞 (shuāng bāo) literally translates to 'twin'. It's a fundamental word for describing two offspring born from the same pregnancy. While 双胞 itself means 'twin', you'll most commonly hear it as part of the longer phrase 双胞胎 (shuāng bāo tāi), which also means 'twin' or 'twins'. Think of 双胞 as the core component, and 胎 (tāi), meaning 'fetus' or 'embryo', as an added descriptor to make it a full noun. It's similar to how in English you might say 'twin' or 'twin baby'.
- Definition
- Twin (often used in the full phrase 双胞胎).
When you're talking about twins, whether they're identical or fraternal, male or female, 双胞 or 双胞胎 is the word you'll use. It's a straightforward term that doesn't carry any extra connotations beyond the biological fact of being twins.
§ When do people use it?
People use 双胞 (most often as 双胞胎) in everyday conversations, in news reports, in medical contexts, and pretty much any situation where you need to refer to twins. It's a very common and essential vocabulary word for anyone learning Chinese, even at an A2 level. You'll encounter it when discussing families, talking about celebrities who have twins, or even in stories and dramas.
Here are some common scenarios where you'd hear or use it:
- Describing someone's children: "她有一对双胞胎。" (She has a pair of twins.)
- Talking about a friend who is a twin: "我的朋友是双胞胎。" (My friend is a twin.)
- Discussing identical or fraternal twins: "他们是异卵双胞胎。" (They are fraternal twins.)
Let's look at some examples to help you grasp its usage:
他们是一对双胞胎。
Translation hint: They are a pair of twins.
你有没有双胞胎兄弟姐妹?
Translation hint: Do you have twin brothers or sisters?
我有一个双胞胎姐姐。
Translation hint: I have a twin older sister.
Understanding the nuance between 双胞 and 双胞胎 is important. Think of 双胞 as the adjective part of 'twin' and 双胞胎 as the noun 'twins'. For instance, you wouldn't just say "I have twin" in English; you'd say "I have a twin." In Chinese, using 双胞胎 gives you that complete noun.
§ Key takeaway for 双胞
The most practical way to use 双胞 is as part of 双胞胎 (shuāng bāo tāi) when you mean 'twins'. It's a simple, direct term. Don't overthink it. Just remember that when you're talking about two individuals born at the same time from the same mother, 双胞胎 is your go-to word. This word is straightforward and widely understood, making it an essential part of your basic Chinese vocabulary. Mastering its usage, especially in the context of 双胞胎, will significantly help you in everyday conversations and comprehension.
§ Understanding 双胞 vs. 双胞胎
Many learners get confused between 双胞 and 双胞胎. While both relate to twins, their usage is different. 双胞胎 is the complete, standard term for 'twins' (the noun). 双胞 is often used as a shortened form or as part of a compound word, but less commonly as a standalone noun for 'twins'. Think of it like saying 'twin' versus 'twins' in English – one is often an adjective or a component, the other is the full noun.
他们家有双胞胎。
Translation: Their family has (twin) babies.
我见过一对双胞姐妹。
Translation: I've seen a pair of (twin) sisters.
§ Using 双胞 as an Adjective
Another common mistake is trying to use 双胞 directly as an adjective in places where 双胞胎 would be more appropriate, or where other descriptive phrases are needed. While 双胞 can function adjectivally in certain compounds (like 双胞姐妹 for 'twin sisters'), it's not as flexible as 'twin' in English.
- Wrong
- 这是一个双胞家庭。(This is a twin family.)
- Right
- 这是一个有双胞胎的家庭。(This is a family with twins.)
The key here is understanding that Chinese often prefers explicit structures or compound nouns over direct adjectival use for 'twin' in this context. You wouldn't say 'twin house' in Chinese; you'd describe a house where twins live. Or, if you're describing two identical things, you'd use a different word entirely.
§ Not for General 'Identical' Things
双胞 (and 双胞胎) specifically refers to biological twins. Don't use it to describe any two identical or very similar objects. In English, you might say 'twin towers' or 'twin beds', but in Chinese, you'd use different words like 双子 (shuāngzǐ) or just describe them as two identical things (两个一模一样的东西).
For 'twin towers', you would say 双子塔 (shuāngzǐ tǎ).
For 'twin beds' (two identical beds), you might say 两张一样的床 (liǎng zhāng yīyàng de chuáng) or a more specific term if available, but not 双胞床.
This is a common pitfall because the English word 'twin' has broader applications. Always remember that 双胞 is almost exclusively tied to biological twins, especially when used in its full form 双胞胎.
§ Overlooking the '胎' in 双胞胎
Some learners might drop the '胎' (tāi) from 双胞胎 thinking 双胞 is always a perfect synonym. While 双胞 can appear in compounds or be understood from context in very informal speech, 双胞胎 is the complete and formal term. Using just 双胞 when you mean 'twins' as a noun can sound incomplete or incorrect.
她生了对双胞胎。
Translation: She gave birth to a pair of (twins).
- Incorrect example
- 他有一对双胞。(He has a pair of twins.)
- Corrected example
- 他有一对双胞胎。(He has a pair of twins.)
Always aim for the complete term 双胞胎 when referring to twins as a noun, unless you are using it in a very specific, accepted compound where 双胞 acts as a component, like 双胞姐妹.
How Formal Is It?
"医院宣布她生下了一对健康的双生儿。 (The hospital announced that she gave birth to a pair of healthy twins.)"
"我的阿姨有一对双胞胎女儿。 (My aunt has twin daughters.)"
"他们家生了对儿,真可爱! (Their family had twins, so cute!)"
"公园里有两个双双在玩滑梯。 (There are two twins playing on the slide in the park.)"
"恭喜你啊,生了龙凤胎! (Congratulations, you had a boy and a girl twin!)"
Fun Fact
The '胞' in '双胞' is the same character used in '细胞' (xìbāo), meaning 'cell' in biology. This highlights the connection to origin and development.
Pronunciation Guide
- confusing with similar-sounding words like 'shāngbāo' (伤疤 - scar)
Difficulty Rating
Two simple characters, easy to recognize.
Simple characters, easy to write.
Straightforward pronunciation.
Clear and distinct pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Nouns can be modified by adjectives. For example, '可爱' (kě'ài - cute) can describe '双胞胎' (shuāngbāotāi - twins) as in '可爱的双胞胎' (kě'ài de shuāngbāotāi - cute twins).
这对 可爱 的 双胞胎 叫什么名字? (Zhè duì kě'ài de shuāngbāotāi jiào shénme míngzi?) - What are the names of these cute twins?
Measure words are often used with nouns. For '双胞胎' (shuāngbāotāi - twins), the measure word '对' (duì) is commonly used, meaning a pair.
我 有 一 对 双胞胎 姐妹。 (Wǒ yǒu yī duì shuāngbāotāi jiěmèi.) - I have a pair of twin sisters.
The word '双胞' (shuāngbāo) itself is usually used as part of '双胞胎' (shuāngbāotāi) meaning twins. It's not typically used alone as a noun for 'twin'.
他们 是 双胞胎。 (Tāmen shì shuāngbāotāi.) - They are twins.
When talking about having twins, you can use the verb '生' (shēng - to give birth) or '有' (yǒu - to have).
她 生 了 一 对 双胞胎。 (Tā shēng le yī duì shuāngbāotāi.) - She gave birth to a pair of twins.
To specify identical or fraternal twins, you can add '同卵' (tóngluǎn - identical) or '异卵' (yìluǎn - fraternal) before '双胞胎'.
他们 是 同卵 双胞胎。 (Tāmen shì tóngluǎn shuāngbāotāi.) - They are identical twins.
Examples by Level
我有一个双胞胎妹妹。
I have a twin younger sister.
他们是双胞胎兄弟。
They are twin brothers.
这对双胞胎长得很像。
These twins look very similar.
双胞胎有一样的衣服。
Twins have the same clothes.
她生了一对双胞胎。
She gave birth to a pair of twins.
我的朋友是双胞胎。
My friend is a twin.
他们是双胞胎,但性格不同。
They are twins, but their personalities are different.
老师分不清这对双胞胎。
The teacher can't tell these twins apart.
我的朋友有一对双胞胎女儿。
My friend has a pair of twin daughters.
他们是双胞胎兄弟。
They are twin brothers.
这只猫生了三只双胞胎小猫。
This cat gave birth to three twin kittens.
她和她的双胞胎姐姐长得很像。
She looks very much like her twin older sister.
我分不清这对双胞胎谁是谁。
I can't tell which of these twins is which.
那两栋楼是双胞胎设计。
Those two buildings have a twin design.
我们看到了双胞胎的月亮。
We saw a twin moon (referring to a double image or reflection).
他们是一对双胞胎姐妹。
They are a pair of twin sisters.
我有一个双胞胎妹妹。
I have a twin younger sister.
他们是双胞胎兄弟。
They are twin brothers.
这对双胞胎长得很像。
These twins look very similar.
双胞胎经常穿一样的衣服。
Twins often wear the same clothes.
她生了一对双胞胎。
She gave birth to a pair of twins.
我分不清这对双胞胎。
I can't tell these twins apart.
双胞胎的心灵感应是真的吗?
Is twin telepathy real?
我们班有两对双胞胎。
There are two pairs of twins in our class.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
他们是双胞胎。
They are twins.
我有双胞胎兄弟。
I have twin brothers.
她生了一对双胞胎。
She gave birth to a pair of twins.
这对双胞胎长得很像。
These twins look very similar.
双胞胎很难区分。
Twins are difficult to distinguish.
我们是同卵双胞胎。
We are identical twins.
双胞胎有心灵感应吗?
Do twins have telepathy?
他有两个双胞胎女儿。
He has two twin daughters.
双胞胎的性格不同。
The twins' personalities are different.
这对双胞胎今年五岁了。
These twins are five years old this year.
Often Confused With
The opposite of '双', meaning 'single' or 'odd'. Good to know for context.
Often paired with '双' to form '双胞胎' (twins), literally 'double fetus'.
The most common measure word, often used when '双' or other specific measure words aren't applicable. Knowing when NOT to use '双' and default to '个' is key.
Grammar Patterns
Idioms & Expressions
"一模一样"
Exactly the same; identical.
他们的双胞胎长得一模一样。
neutral"形影不离"
Inseparable; always together (like shadow and form).
这对双胞胎从小就形影不离。
neutral"如影随形"
Like a shadow following a form; inseparable.
他们俩真是如影随形。
neutral"心有灵犀一点通"
Two hearts beat as one; a telepathic connection.
双胞胎之间常常心有灵犀一点通。
neutral"异卵双胞胎"
Fraternal twins (literally, 'different egg twins').
他们是异卵双胞胎,所以长得不太像。
formal"同卵双胞胎"
Identical twins (literally, 'same egg twins').
这对同卵双胞胎让人很难分辨。
formal"双生子"
Twin children (a more formal term for twins).
她生了一对双生子。
formal"龙凤胎"
Boy-girl twins (literally, 'dragon and phoenix twins').
他们家有一对龙凤胎,真是幸运。
neutral"双喜临门"
Double happiness arrives (often used when two good things happen, like twins).
生了双胞胎,真是双喜临门!
neutral"成双成对"
In pairs; in twos (can refer to twins or couples).
这对双胞胎总是成双成对地出现。
neutralEasily Confused
Often confused with '双' (shuāng) due to both referring to pairs. However, '对' typically refers to a pair of items that belong together or form a set, while '双' is for natural pairs like hands or eyes.
Use '对' for things that are meant to be together or complement each other (e.g., 一对情侣 - a pair of lovers), and '双' for naturally occurring pairs (e.g., 一双手 - a pair of hands).
这对耳环很漂亮。 (Zhè duì ěrhuán hěn piàoliang.) - This pair of earrings is very beautiful.
'副' can also mean 'a pair' but is used for specific items like glasses, gloves, or mahjong tiles. Learners often overuse it or confuse its usage with '对' or '双'.
Remember specific items that use '副' as a measure word (e.g., 一副眼镜 - a pair of glasses). It's less about the inherent 'pair-ness' and more about the item's categorization.
他买了一副新手套。 (Tā mǎile yī fù xīn shǒutào.) - He bought a new pair of gloves.
As a number, '两' means 'two' and can sometimes precede a measure word to indicate two of something. This can be confusing with '双' when referring to two separate items versus a single pair.
'两' simply means the quantity 'two'. '双' emphasizes the 'pair' aspect of items that naturally come in two. For example, 两只鞋 (liǎng zhī xié) means two shoes (could be unmatched), whereas 一双鞋 (yī shuāng xié) means a pair of shoes.
我有两本书。 (Wǒ yǒu liǎng běn shū.) - I have two books.
'同' means 'same' or 'alike', which can sometimes overlap in meaning with '双' when talking about two identical things, leading to confusion.
'同' describes similarity or sameness, while '双' specifically refers to a pair. While twin siblings might be '同' (same), the term '双胞' specifically denotes their paired birth.
我们有相同的爱好。 (Wǒmen yǒu xiāngtóng de àihào.) - We have the same hobbies.
This word also means 'twin' but is often more formal or used in biological contexts. Learners might not grasp the nuance between '双胞' and '孪生'.
'双胞' is the common, everyday term for 'twin'. '孪生' is more technical and less frequently used in casual conversation. Think of '双胞' as 'twin' and '孪生' as 'genetically identical/fraternal twin' (though '孪生' itself doesn't specify identical/fraternal, it's a more clinical term).
他们是孪生兄弟。 (Tāmen shì luánshēng xiōngdì.) - They are twin brothers.
Sentence Patterns
Subj. 是 一对 双胞胎。
他们是一对双胞胎。 (They are a pair of twins.)
Subj. 有 一个 双胞胎 + Noun (e.g., 姐姐/弟弟/哥哥/妹妹)。
我有一个双胞胎妹妹。 (I have a twin younger sister.)
双胞胎 + Noun (e.g., 兄弟/姐妹) + verb phrase。
双胞胎姐妹喜欢一起玩。 (The twin sisters like to play together.)
Word Family
Nouns
How to Use It
When talking about twins in Chinese, you'll almost always hear the word 双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi), which literally means 'twin babies'. While 双胞 (shuāngbāo) on its own can mean 'twin', it's rarely used in isolation to refer to people. It's more commonly seen in compounds like 双胞胎.
A common mistake is using 双胞 by itself when you mean 'twins' in the context of people. For example, instead of saying *'他们是双胞' (Tāmen shì shuāngbāo)* to mean 'They are twins', you should say '他们是双胞胎' (Tāmen shì shuāngbāotāi).
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine two '双' (shuāng) characters, representing a pair, perfectly mirrored, like twins. The '胞' (bāo) sounds like 'bao' in 'baozi' (steamed bun), so think of two identical steamed buns, or two babies bundled up like buns.
Visual Association
Picture two identical babies, dressed in matching outfits, holding hands. Or, visualize two identical '双' characters standing side-by-side, reflecting each other perfectly, with a '胞' character snuggled between them like a baby.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe a pair of twins you know using '双胞'. For example, '他们是双胞胎兄弟' (Tāmen shì shuāngbāotāi xiōngdì - They are twin brothers). Can you use it in a sentence like '她生了一对双胞胎女儿' (Tā shēngle yī duì shuāngbāotāi nǚ'ér - She gave birth to a pair of twin daughters)?
Word Origin
Simplified Chinese characters.
Original meaning: 双 (shuāng) means 'pair, two, double'. 胞 (bāo) means 'womb, placenta'.
Sino-Tibetan.Cultural Context
<p>In Chinese culture, the birth of twins (双胞胎) is often considered a very auspicious event, bringing double happiness and good fortune to the family. There's a strong appreciation for the unique bond between twins, and they are frequently seen as a symbol of unity and completeness.</p>
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Describing someone having twins
- 她有一对双胞胎。
- 她生了双胞胎。
- 他们是双胞胎兄弟/姐妹。
Talking about twins in general
- 双胞胎很常见吗?
- 这对双胞胎长得很像。
- 他们是异卵双胞胎/同卵双胞胎。
Asking if someone is a twin
- 你是双胞胎吗?
- 你有没有双胞胎兄弟姐妹?
- 你是不是和你的双胞胎长得很像?
Discussing the challenges/joys of having twins
- 养双胞胎一定很辛苦。
- 有双胞胎是双倍的快乐。
- 双胞胎的父母很伟大。
Comparing two things that are very similar, like twins
- 这两件衣服像双胞胎一样。
- 这两个地方很像双胞胎。
- 他们俩的性格像双胞胎。
Conversation Starters
"你认识双胞胎吗?"
"你觉得双胞胎有什么特别之处?"
"如果你有双胞胎孩子,你会怎么给他们取名字?"
"你看过关于双胞胎的电影或电视剧吗?"
"你觉得双胞胎的心灵感应是真的吗?"
Journal Prompts
描述你认识的一对双胞胎,他们的性格和长相有什么异同?
如果你是双胞胎中的一员,你觉得你的生活会有什么不同?
写一篇关于双胞胎之间特殊纽带的故事。
想象一下,如果你是医生,你如何向一对怀有双胞胎的夫妇解释双胞胎的种类和特点?
你觉得科技对双胞胎的识别和研究有什么帮助?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions双胞 is a shortened, informal way to say 双胞胎. You'll usually hear 双胞胎, especially in more formal contexts, as it's the full and grammatically complete term for 'twins'.
Not really. 双胞 almost always appears as part of 双胞胎. If you just say 双胞, it sounds incomplete and might not be understood clearly. Always aim for 双胞胎.
For identical twins, you might hear 同卵双胞胎 (tóng luǎn shuāngbāotāi), meaning 'monozygotic twins' (from one egg). For fraternal twins, it's 异卵双胞胎 (yì luǎn shuāngbāotāi), meaning 'dizygotic twins' (from different eggs). But 双胞胎 is the general term for all twins.
You can say 双胞胎兄弟 (shuāngbāotāi xiōngdì) for twin brothers or 双胞胎姐妹 (shuāngbāotāi jiěmèi) for twin sisters. You can also say 双胞胎哥哥 (shuāngbāotāi gēgē) if they are older twin brothers, etc.
You can ask: 你有没有双胞胎孩子?(Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu shuāngbāotāi háizi?) - Do you have twin children? Or more simply: 你有双胞胎吗?(Nǐ yǒu shuāngbāotāi ma?) - Do you have twins?
A common phrase is 双胞胎兄弟/姐妹 (twin brothers/sisters). There isn't a widely used idiom directly incorporating 双胞 in the same way as other Chinese words, as it's primarily a descriptive term.
Yes, 双胞胎 can be used for animals too. For example, 这只猫生了三只双胞胎小猫。(Zhè zhǐ māo shēng le sān zhī shuāngbāotāi xiǎo māo.) - This cat gave birth to three twin kittens (though this implies three twins, which is less common in English, it would mean three kittens that are twins of each other).
You would say 一对双胞胎 (yī duì shuāngbāotāi). 一对 means 'a pair'.
Not really. 双胞胎 is quite literal. If you want to say two things are 'like twins' (very similar), you'd use other expressions like 一模一样 (yī mú yī yàng) which means 'exactly the same'.
You can say: 他是一个双胞胎。(Tā shì yī gè shuāngbāotāi.) - He is a twin. Or 我是双胞胎之一。(Wǒ shì shuāngbāotāi zhī yī.) - I am one of the twins.
Test Yourself 126 questions
她有可爱的___。
The sentence means 'She has cute twins.' '双胞胎' means twins.
他们是___兄弟。
The sentence means 'They are twin brothers.' '双胞' is used here to describe twin siblings.
我看到一对___。
The sentence means 'I saw a pair of twins.' '双胞胎' is the correct term for twins.
她姐姐生了___。
The sentence means 'Her older sister gave birth to twins.' '双胞胎' refers to twins.
他们长得很像,因为他们是___。
The sentence means 'They look very alike because they are twins.' '双胞胎' explains their similar appearance.
这对___很可爱。
The sentence means 'This pair of twins is very cute.' '双胞胎' is the subject of the sentence.
Which word means 'twin'?
双胞 (shuāngbāo) directly translates to 'twin' or 'a pair', often used in 双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi) for 'twins'.
My older sister has two babies. They are ______.
双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi) specifically means 'twins'.
Which of these is NOT typically used to describe a pair of twins?
一个 (yīgè) means 'one' and cannot describe a pair of twins. 双胞 (shuāngbāo) refers to twins, 一对 (yīduì) means 'a pair', and 两个 (liǎngge) means 'two'.
双胞 (shuāngbāo) can be used to describe two identical things.
Yes, 双胞 (shuāngbāo) fundamentally means 'a pair' and is used for things that are identical or very similar, most commonly twins.
You can use 双胞 (shuāngbāo) to say 'I have one twin brother'.
No, if you have one twin brother, you would say '我有一个双胞胎哥哥' (wǒ yǒu yīgè shuāngbāotāi gēge). 双胞 (shuāngbāo) is used to refer to the 'twin' characteristic, not a single person.
双胞 (shuāngbāo) is often followed by 胎 (tāi) to specifically mean 'twins'.
That's correct. 双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi) is the common word for 'twins'.
This sentence means 'I am a twin.' The correct order is Subject-Verb-Object.
This sentence means 'She has a twin sister.' The correct order is Subject-Verb-Number-Measure word-Adjective-Noun.
This sentence means 'They are twin brothers.' The correct order is Subject-Verb-Adjective-Noun.
Which of these words means 'twin'?
双胞 (shuāngbāo) specifically refers to twins.
How do you say 'twin brothers'?
双胞 (shuāngbāo) means twin, and 兄弟 (xiōngdì) means brothers.
If someone has two children born at the same time, what are they?
双胞 (shuāngbāo) refers to children born at the same time, i.e., twins.
双胞 (shuāngbāo) can be used to describe two friends who are very close.
双胞 (shuāngbāo) specifically refers to twins, not close friends.
The word 双胞 (shuāngbāo) is often followed by 胎 (tāi) to form 双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi), meaning twins.
Yes, 双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi) is the more common full term for twins.
My cat had 双胞 (shuāngbāo) kittens, meaning she had one kitten.
双胞 (shuāngbāo) indicates two, so it means she had two kittens, not one.
She gave birth to twins.
My friend is a twin.
They are twin brothers.
Read this aloud:
我有一个双胞胎姐妹。
Focus: 双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你看过双胞胎吗?
Focus: 双胞 (shuāngbāo)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这对双胞胎长得很像。
Focus: 长得像 (zhǎng de xiàng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a sentence describing that someone has twin children. (Use: 有, 孩子)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
她有两个双胞孩子。 (She has two twin children.)
Write a sentence saying 'They are twin brothers.' (Use: 是, 兄弟)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他们是双胞兄弟。 (They are twin brothers.)
Write a simple sentence stating that you know a pair of twin sisters. (Use: 认识, 姐妹)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我认识一对双胞姐妹。 (I know a pair of twin sisters.)
小明和小白是什么关系?
Read this passage:
小明和小白是双胞胎。他们长得很像,但是性格很不一样。小明很安静,小白很活泼。他们的妈妈说,虽然他们是双胞胎,但每个人都是特别的。
小明和小白是什么关系?
文章中明确提到“小明和小白是双胞胎”。 (The passage clearly states 'Xiaoming and Xiaobai are twins.')
文章中明确提到“小明和小白是双胞胎”。 (The passage clearly states 'Xiaoming and Xiaobai are twins.')
王阿姨的女儿们有什么特点?
Read this passage:
王阿姨有两个女儿。她们是双胞胎,今年六岁。她们都喜欢穿粉色的裙子,看起来非常可爱。邻居们常常分不清她们。
王阿姨的女儿们有什么特点?
文章中提到“她们是双胞胎”。 (The passage mentions 'They are twins.')
文章中提到“她们是双胞胎”。 (The passage mentions 'They are twins.')
这两只猫有什么共同点?
Read this passage:
我家有两只猫。它们是双胞胎,都是黑色的。它们总是玩在一起,非常活泼。我喜欢看它们睡觉的样子,一模一样。
这两只猫有什么共同点?
文章中提到“它们是双胞胎”。 (The passage mentions 'They are twins.')
文章中提到“它们是双胞胎”。 (The passage mentions 'They are twins.')
她生了一对___。
The sentence means 'She gave birth to a pair of twins.' '双胞胎' means twins.
这两个孩子长得一模一样,真是___。
The sentence means 'These two children look exactly alike, they are truly twins.' '双胞胎' fits best here.
他们是___姐妹,所以看起来很像。
The sentence means 'They are twin sisters, so they look very similar.' '双胞' is used here as an adjective modifying '姐妹'.
我叔叔家有一对___儿子。
The sentence means 'My uncle's family has a pair of twin sons.' '双胞胎' is the correct term for twins.
这部电影的主角是一对___兄弟。
The sentence means 'The protagonists of this movie are a pair of twin brothers.' '双胞' is used as an adjective.
她的女儿是___,非常可爱。
The sentence means 'Her daughters are twins, very cute.' '双胞胎' is the appropriate noun.
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 我的阿姨有两____女儿。
Here, '双胞' is used as part of '双胞胎' (twins), indicating that the aunt has twin daughters. '个', '只', and '条' are common measure words but do not fit the meaning of 'twins'.
Which of the following phrases correctly uses '双胞'?
'双胞胎' (twins) is the correct term to use when referring to twin brothers or sisters. '双胞' itself is not typically used alone as a noun for 'twin' in this context.
Select the sentence that accurately uses '双胞'.
While '双胞' is usually part of '双胞胎', in some informal contexts, '一对双胞' (a pair of twins) can be understood. The other options are grammatically incorrect or awkward without '胎'.
You can say '我有一个双胞' to mean 'I have a twin'.
You should say '我有一个双胞胎' or '我有一个双胞胎兄弟/姐妹' to mean 'I have a twin'. '双胞' on its own is not typically used this way.
'双胞' is commonly used by itself to refer to 'twin' in formal writing.
In formal writing, '双胞胎' is the standard term for 'twin'. '双胞' is usually part of '双胞胎' or used in specific compound words.
If someone says '他们是双胞', they are likely referring to twins.
In informal contexts, '他们是双胞' (They are twins) can be understood, especially when the context makes it clear that '双胞胎' is being shortened.
Listen for the speaker talking about a twin sibling.
Listen for the description of twin brothers.
Listen for a question about distinguishing twin sisters.
Read this aloud:
我的朋友生了一对双胞胎,真是太可爱了。
Focus: 双胞胎 (shuāngbāotāi)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你有没有见过长得一模一样的双胞胎?
Focus: 一模一样 (yīmúyīyàng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
他们是双胞胎,所以有很多共同的爱好。
Focus: 共同的爱好 (gòngtóng de àihào)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you have a twin. Describe one interesting experience you've had with your twin. (Use at least one sentence with '双胞')
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我有一个双胞胎妹妹。有一次,我们穿了同样的衣服去学校,老师都分不清我们俩了,那真是太有趣了。
Write three sentences about the similarities or differences between you and your twin sibling (real or imagined).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我和我的双胞胎哥哥长得很像,但是我们的性格完全不同。他喜欢安静,我喜欢热闹。我们都有双胞胎的特点。
You are describing a family photo to a friend. In the photo, there are twin children. Describe them in two sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这张照片里有两个小女孩,她们是双胞胎。她们穿着一样的裙子,看起来非常可爱。
根据这段话,小明的双胞胎弟弟有什么共同点?
Read this passage:
小明有一对双胞胎弟弟。他们不仅长得一模一样,连爱好也很相似。他们都喜欢踢足球,也都很爱吃巧克力。
根据这段话,小明的双胞胎弟弟有什么共同点?
文章中明确提到“他们都喜欢踢足球,也都很爱吃巧克力。”
文章中明确提到“他们都喜欢踢足球,也都很爱吃巧克力。”
这段话主要讲了什么?
Read this passage:
我的朋友有一个双胞胎姐姐。虽然她们是双胞胎,但性格却大不相同。姐姐比较活泼,妹妹比较安静。但是她们的关系非常好。
这段话主要讲了什么?
文章中强调了“性格却大不相同”,并举例说明了活泼和安静。
文章中强调了“性格却大不相同”,并举例说明了活泼和安静。
这段话用“双胞胎”来形容什么?
Read this passage:
公园里有两棵树,它们长得非常像,就像双胞胎一样。很多人路过时都会特意停下来看一看。
这段话用“双胞胎”来形容什么?
文章中明确提到“公园里有两棵树,它们长得非常像,就像双胞胎一样。”
文章中明确提到“公园里有两棵树,它们长得非常像,就像双胞胎一样。”
她生了一对___,一个是男孩,一个是女孩。
The sentence describes having a boy and a girl, which indicates twins. '双胞胎' (shuāngbāotāi) means 'twins'.
他们是___兄弟,长得非常像。
'双胞' (shuāngbāo) here modifies '兄弟' (xiōngdì - brothers) to mean 'twin brothers'.
那对___姐妹总是穿一样的衣服。
'双胞' (shuāngbāo) describes the sisters as twins. '双胞姐妹' (shuāngbāo jiěmèi) means 'twin sisters'.
她和她的___妹妹长得一模一样。
'双胞妹妹' (shuāngbāo mèimei) means 'twin younger sister'. The context implies a very similar appearance.
这对___兄弟从小就非常要好。
'双胞兄弟' (shuāngbāo xiōngdì) means 'twin brothers'. The sentence talks about their close relationship since childhood.
我的邻居有一对可爱的___。
'双胞胎' (shuāngbāotāi) means 'twins' and fits the context of having cute children.
The twin sisters look exactly alike, we often can't tell them apart.
They are twin brothers, but their personalities are completely different.
I have a friend who gave birth to twins, which was a big surprise.
Read this aloud:
我的邻居家里有双胞胎,他们总是穿着一样的衣服。
Focus: 双胞胎
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
在公园里看到一对双胞胎婴儿,真是可爱极了。
Focus: 双胞胎婴儿
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你有没有双胞胎朋友或者认识双胞胎的人?
Focus: 认识双胞胎
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you have twin friends. Describe a funny or interesting situation you experienced with them. Use '双胞' at least once in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的朋友小明和小红是双胞胎。有一次,我们在公园玩,有人把他们搞错了,一直叫错名字。他们觉得很好笑,我也觉得很有趣。
Write a short paragraph about the challenges or advantages of being a twin, using '双胞' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
作为双胞胎,最大的优势可能就是从小就有一个最好的朋友。然而,挑战也很多,比如人们常常分不清谁是谁,或者总是拿他们来比较。
You are explaining to a friend what '双胞胎' means. Write a brief explanation. Make sure to use '双胞' in your explanation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
双胞胎是指母亲在一次怀孕中生下的两个孩子。所以,'双胞'就是指这样成对出生的。
根据这段文字,王女士的心情如何?
Read this passage:
医生告诉王女士她怀了双胞胎,她非常高兴。虽然照顾两个孩子会很辛苦,但她也期待着两个小生命的到来。她已经开始为双胞胎准备婴儿房了。
根据这段文字,王女士的心情如何?
文章中明确提到“她非常高兴”。
文章中明确提到“她非常高兴”。
根据这段文字,双胞胎儿子有什么特点?
Read this passage:
李先生有两个双胞胎儿子,他们长得一模一样,连老师都很难分清。有一次,其中一个儿子偷偷换了教室,结果老师完全没有发现。
根据这段文字,双胞胎儿子有什么特点?
文章中提到“他们长得一模一样,连老师都很难分清”。
文章中提到“他们长得一模一样,连老师都很难分清”。
这段文字主要讲述了双胞胎的什么现象?
Read this passage:
研究表明,双胞胎之间常常有一种特殊的心灵感应,他们可以感受到对方的情绪,甚至在没有交流的情况下也能知道对方在想什么。这种现象在同卵双胞胎中更为常见。
这段文字主要讲述了双胞胎的什么现象?
文章中明确提到“双胞胎之间常常有一种特殊的心灵感应”。
文章中明确提到“双胞胎之间常常有一种特殊的心灵感应”。
This sentence means 'They are twins'. The correct order is subject (他们), verb (是), and then the noun (双胞胎).
This sentence means 'That pair of twins look very alike'. The structure is '那对双胞胎' (that pair of twins) followed by '长得' (look) and '很像' (very similar).
This sentence means 'She gave birth to a pair of twins'. The order is subject (她), verb (生), aspect particle (了), quantifier (一对), and object (双胞胎).
她和她的___姐妹从小就形影不离,一起上学,一起玩耍。
“双胞” 指的是双胞胎,与“姐妹”搭配表示是双胞胎姐妹。
这对___兄弟长得一模一样,连父母都偶尔会认错。
“双胞”在这里修饰“兄弟”,表示是双胞胎兄弟。
科学家正在研究___胎的基因,希望能揭示遗传的奥秘。
“双胞胎”是一个固定词组,指双胞胎。
虽然他们是___,但性格却截然不同,一个活泼开朗,一个安静内敛。
“双胞”在此处是“双胞胎”的缩写,指他们是双胞胎。
她怀了一对___,这让全家人都非常惊喜。
“双胞”可以单独使用,指双胞胎。
那对___姐妹从小就表现出惊人的默契,仿佛能读懂对方的心思。
“双胞”修饰“姐妹”,表示是双胞胎姐妹,强调她们之间的特殊关系。
她和她姐姐长得很像,都有一双大眼睛,但是她们不是双胞胎。这意味着什么?
双胞胎指的是同一个母亲在同一次怀孕中生下的两个或更多孩子。即使长得很像,如果出生年份不同,就不是双胞胎。
如果一对夫妇生了双胞胎,他们最不可能面临以下哪种情况?
双胞胎通常在同一天出生,所以有不同的生日是不太可能的。
以下哪种情景最能体现“双胞”的特点?
“双胞”常指长相非常相似的两个人,尤其是双胞胎,常常会穿相同的衣服。
所有的双胞胎都长得一模一样。
双胞胎分为同卵双胞胎和异卵双胞胎。同卵双胞胎基因完全相同,长相非常相似;异卵双胞胎基因不同,长相可以差异很大。
“双胞”只能用来形容人。
虽然“双胞”最常用以形容人,但有时也可以引申指性质或特征极其相似的两个事物,如“双胞胎城市”等,虽然在日常口语中不太常见。
如果两姐妹同时出生,她们一定是双胞胎。
双胞胎的定义就是指同一个母亲在同一次怀孕中生下的两个孩子,所以如果两姐妹是同时出生,她们就是双胞胎。
The speaker is talking about twin sons.
The speaker is impressed by the twins' unspoken understanding.
The speaker has a dream about seeing twin pandas.
Read this aloud:
这对双胞胎兄弟在大学里选择了不同的专业。
Focus: 双胞胎兄弟 (shuāngbāotāi xiōngdì)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
她发现自己怀的是双胞胎时,感到非常惊喜。
Focus: 怀的是双胞胎 (huái de shì shuāngbāotāi)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
虽然他们是双胞胎,但性格却截然不同。
Focus: 性格却截然不同 (xìnggé què jiérán bùtóng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'Those twins were born at the same time.' The structure places the noun phrase '那对双胞胎' (those twins) first, followed by the verb '出生' (born) and the adverb '同时' (at the same time).
This sentence translates to 'She has a twin older sister.' The possessive structure '她有' (she has) is followed by '一个' (one) and then the descriptive noun phrase '双胞胎姐姐' (twin older sister).
This sentence means 'Although they are twins, their personalities are very similar.' The '虽然...但...' (although...but...) structure is common for expressing contrast. '他们的性格' refers to 'their personalities', and '很相似' means 'very similar'.
她和她姐姐长得很像,简直就是一对___。
Given the context of looking very similar, '双胞' (twins) is the most appropriate word to describe their resemblance.
这对___兄弟从小就形影不离。
'双胞兄弟' refers to twin brothers, which fits the description of being inseparable since childhood.
科学研究表明,___的基因相似度非常高。
'双胞胎' (twins) are known for their high genetic similarity, making it the correct answer in this scientific context.
“双胞”可以单独指代一个人。
“双胞” implies a pair, so it cannot refer to a single individual.
“双胞”通常用来形容长相非常相似的两个人。
“双胞” (short for 双胞胎) specifically refers to twins, who typically share a very similar appearance.
在中文里,“双胞”和“兄弟姐妹”的意思完全相同。
“双胞” specifically means twins, while “兄弟姐妹” is a broader term for siblings that includes non-twins.
Listen carefully to the nuances in describing similarities between twins.
Focus on the speaker's tone and the implied emotion when discussing the elder twin's responsibility.
Identify the key academic terms and their precise pronunciation in the context of scientific research.
Read this aloud:
你能用“双胞”这个词,描述一下你所知道的一对双胞胎的特别之处吗?
Focus: 双胞 (shuāng bāo)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
请你谈谈双胞胎之间是否存在心灵感应?你相信这种说法吗?
Focus: 心灵感应 (xīn líng gǎn yìng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
如果让你选择,你希望自己是双胞胎之一吗?为什么?
Focus: 选择 (xuǎn zé)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes how twins born were adopted by different families. The structure '出生后的...' (after birth...) sets up the subject '双胞胎' (twins), followed by the passive voice '被...收养' (were adopted by...).
This sentence discusses the findings of genetic research on identical twins. '基因研究发现' (Genetic research found that) introduces the main clause. '同卵双胞尽管分离' (identical twins, despite being separated) is the subject with a subordinate clause, followed by '仍有惊人的相似性' (still have astonishing similarities).
This sentence describes a family with fraternal twins and highlights their differing personalities. '这个家庭有一对异卵双胞' (This family has a pair of fraternal twins) introduces the twins, and '他们的性格截然不同' (their personalities are completely different) provides additional information.
/ 126 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
When you see 双胞, think 'twin,' especially in the context of people.
- 双胞 means 'twin'.
- It's usually part of 双胞胎 (twin siblings).
- It refers to two individuals born at the same time.