{{Grammar Box}}
In Chinese, there are two words for "two." They are 二 (èr) and 两 (liǎng), and each is used in different circumstances.
== Uses of 二 (èr)==
=== 二 (èr) Is for Numbers ===
The digit "2" is 二 (èr). This is used generally in numbers, when counting to ten, giving out a phone number, and so on.
Unlike 两 (liǎng), 二 (èr) is not used to say there are "two" of something, and does not generally occur with [[measure words]] by itself. Numbers like 十二 (12) (shí'èr) and 二十二 (22) (èrshí-èr) end with a "2" and can still be combined with measure words. In those cases, 两 (liǎng) is not needed.
=== Examples ===
Here are some common examples of 二 (èr) in action:
* 第 二 dì-èr#2; second
* 第 二 个 dì-èr gèthe second one
* 第 二 次 dì-èr cìthe second time
* 二月 ÈryuèFebruary (the second month)
* 二 号 èr hào#2; the second (of the month)
* 二 号 线 èr hào xiànLine 2 (of the metro)
* 二 楼 èr lóusecond floor
* 十二 shí'èr12
* 二十 èrshí20
* 十二 块 钱 shí'èr kuài qián12 RMB
* 二 十 块 钱 èrshí kuài qián20 RMB
* 二 十 二 个 人 èrshí-èr gè réntwenty-two people
== Uses of 两 (liǎng)==
=== 两 (liǎng) Is for Measure Words ===
When specifying quantities (and using [[measure word]]s to do it), 两 (liǎng) is used. This is when you want to say "two of something" or "both."
Here are some common examples of 两 (liǎng) in action:
=== Examples ===
*两 个 小时 liǎng gè xiǎoshítwo hours
*两 点 liǎng diǎn2 o'clock
*两 天 liǎng tiāntwo days
*两 个 星期 liǎng gè xīngqītwo weeks
*两 个 月 liǎng gè yuètwo months
*两 年 liǎng niántwo years
*两 次 liǎng cìtwo times / twice
*两 块 钱 liǎng kuài qián2 kuai / 2 RMB
*两百 note: 二百 (èrbǎi) is also acceptable.liǎngbǎi200
*两千 liǎng qiān2,000
*我 两 个 都 要 。 Wǒ liǎng gè dōu yào.I want both of them.
== Sources and further reading ==
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 16-7) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (p. 53)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
* [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (p. 28) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy]
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|二|A1|二 vs 两|两 个 人。二 十 二。|grammar point|ASGJ46H1}}
{{Similar|Structure of numbers}}
{{Rel char|两}}
{{Comparison|Numbers}}
{{Translation|two}}
{{Used for| Expressing quantity}}