両りょう端たん

noun

both ends; either end; both edges

Used for the two ends or edges of a line-like, long, flat, or bounded object. In context it may refer to things located at each of the two ends.

• ロープの両りょう端たんをしっかり結むすんだ。

  I tied both ends of the rope tightly.

• 橋はしの両りょう端たんに警けい備び員いんが立たっている。

  Security guards are standing at both ends of the bridge.

noun

double-mindedness; sitting on the fence

Only with reading りょうたん

Rare abstract use, especially in the fixed literary expression 両端を持する, meaning to avoid taking a clear side. This sense is restricted to the reading りょうたん.

• 「両りょう端たんを持じする」は、どちらにもはっきり味み方かたしない態たい度どをいう。

  両端を持する refers to an attitude of not clearly siding with either side.