両腕(りょううで)

両腕(りょううで) literally refers to both of a person's arms, emphasizing that both are involved in an action such as holding, spreading, or lifting. Figuratively, it can mean two trusted aides or right-hand men who support a leader, extending the image of 片腕(かたうで) (one's right-hand man) to a pair.

Common collocations

• 両腕(りょううで)で抱(かか)える (to hold in both arms)
• 両腕(りょううで)を広(ひろ)げる (to spread both arms)
• 両腕(りょううで)を組(く)む (to fold both arms)
• 両腕(りょううで)で抱(だ)きしめる (to embrace with both arms)

Similar compounds

• 両手(りょうて) (both hands)
• 両足(りょうあし) (both legs)
• 片腕(かたうで) (one arm; one's right-hand man — singular)

Usage

• The literal sense (sense 1) is straightforward and common in physical descriptions
• The figurative sense (sense 2) appears in business and organizational contexts
• The 両(りょう) prefix follows the same pattern as 両手(りょうて), 両足(りょうあし), 両目(りょうめ)