双胞胎

• Pinyin: shuāng bāo tāi
• Hanzi breakdown: 双 = 又 + 又 (double); 胞 = 月 + 包 (womb/cell); 胎 = 月 + 台 (fetus)

Meaning

Twins. Two siblings born at the same birth from the same pregnancy.

Distinguishes between 同卵双胞胎 (identical twins) and 异卵双胞胎 (fraternal twins). Twins are traditionally seen as auspicious in Chinese culture, symbolising good fortune and harmony.

Examples

1. 他们是一对双胞胎，外貌几乎一模一样。 They’re twins, and they look almost exactly alike.
2. 医生告诉她，她怀的是双胞胎，令她又惊又喜。 The doctor told her she was carrying twins, which left her both shocked and delighted.
3. 双胞胎之间往往存在一种难以言说的心灵默契。 Twins often share a kind of unspoken emotional bond.

Usage Guide

Context: family, medicine, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这对双胞胎虽然长相相同，性格却截然不同。(Although this pair of twins look identical, their personalities are completely different.)
• 受家族遗传因素影响，她生下双胞胎的概率相对较高。(Due to family genetic factors, her probability of having twins is relatively high.)

Don't Say

• 他们是双胞胎兄弟姐妹 — simply say 他们是双胞胎兄弟 or 双胞胎姐妹; adding 兄弟姐妹 after 双胞胎 is redundant

Origin & History

双 (double) + 胞 (womb/cell) + 胎 (fetus)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal