両りょう者しゃ

りょ

う

しゃ

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

Refers to two people, groups, or things previously mentioned or understood from context. Often used in comparisons, contrasts, or when stating something applies to both. Common in formal and written Japanese.

両りょう者しゃの意い見けんは大おおきく異ことなっている。
The opinions of the two differ greatly.
両りょう者しゃに共きょう通つうする点てんはほとんどない。
There is almost nothing in common between the two.

See all 305 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

両りょう者しゃとも〜both (parties/people) alike ~
両りょう者しゃとも一いっ歩ぽも譲ゆずらなかった。
Neither of the two sides gave an inch.
両りょう者しゃの間あいだで〜between the two (parties)
両りょう者しゃの間あいだで交こう渉しょうが続つづいている。
Negotiations are continuing between the two parties.
両りょう者しゃを比ひ較かくするto compare the two (things/people)
専せん門もん家かが両りょう者しゃを比ひ較かくして論ろんじた。
The expert discussed the two by comparing them.
両りょう者しゃが対たい立りつするthe two parties are in conflict/opposition
その問もん題だいで両りょう者しゃが対たい立りつしている。
The two sides are at odds over that issue.

Kanji

両both, old Japanese coin, counter for carriages (e.g., in a train)
者someone, person

Related words

双そう方ほうN1
双方 is used for abstract sides or parties in a relationship (e.g. negotiations), while 両者 emphasizes two distinct, often previously mentioned entities.
両りょう方ほうN4
両方 is the casual, everyday word for 'both' of two things, whereas 両者 is more formal and typical of written or analytical Japanese.
甲こう乙おつ
両者 is a neutral way to say 'both parties/both people', while 甲乙 specifically assigns the labels 'A' and 'B' to two parties or items, often in formal or contractual contexts.
両りょう軍ぐん
両者 is a general term for 'both parties/sides' in any context, while 両軍 specifically refers to two opposing armies or competing teams.
両りょう氏し
両者 is a neutral term for 'both parties' usable for people, groups, or things, while 両氏 specifically and respectfully refers to two named individuals.

Opposites

一いっ方ぽうN3
一方 refers to just one of the two sides or parties, in contrast to 両者 which refers to both together.

Don't confuse with

前ぜん者しゃN3
前者 means 'the former' (the first-mentioned of two), while 両者 means 'both' of them together, not just one.
三さん者しゃ
三者 refers to three people or parties, whereas 両者 (same formal register) refers to only two.

Etymology

Compound of 両 (ryō, 'both') and 者 (sha, 'person' or 'thing'). The kanji 者 can refer to people or, by extension, things, giving the word its broad applicability to any two entities.