ChineseGrammarWiki/MD/A1/40.mw

{{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:

<div class="liju">

* 第 <em>二</em> <span class="pinyin">dì-<em>èr</em></span><span class="trans">#2; second</span>
* 第 <em>二</em> 个 <span class="pinyin">dì-<em>èr</em> gè</span><span class="trans">the second one</span>
* 第 <em>二</em> 次 <span class="pinyin">dì-<em>èr</em> cì</span><span class="trans">the second time</span>
* <em>二</em>月 <span class="pinyin"><em>Èr</em>yuè</span><span class="trans">February (the second month)</span>
* <em>二</em> 号 <span class="pinyin"><em>èr</em> hào</span><span class="trans">#2; the second (of the month)</span>
* <em>二</em> 号 线 <span class="pinyin"><em>èr</em> hào xiàn</span><span class="trans">Line 2 (of the metro)</span>
* <em>二</em> 楼 <span class="pinyin"><em>èr</em> lóu</span><span class="trans">second floor</span>
* 十<em>二</em> <span class="pinyin">shí'<em>èr</em></span><span class="trans">12</span>
* <em>二</em>十 <span class="pinyin"><em>èr</em>shí</span><span class="trans">20</span>
* 十<em>二</em> 块 钱 <span class="pinyin">shí'<em>èr</em> kuài qián</span><span class="trans">12 RMB</span>
* <em>二</em> 十 块 钱 <span class="pinyin"><em>èr</em>shí kuài qián</span><span class="trans">20 RMB</span>
* <em>二</em> 十 <em>二</em> 个 人 <span class="pinyin"><em>èr</em>shí-<em>èr</em> gè rén</span><span class="trans">twenty-two people</span>

</div>

== 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 ===

<div class="liju">

*<em>两</em> 个 小时 <span class="pinyin"><em>liǎng</em> gè xiǎoshí</span><span class="trans">two hours</span>
*<em>两</em> 点 <span class="pinyin"><em>liǎng</em> diǎn</span><span class="trans">2 o'clock</span>
*<em>两</em> 天 <span class="pinyin"><em>liǎng</em> tiān</span><span class="trans">two days</span>
*<em>两</em> 个 星期 <span class="pinyin"><em>liǎng</em> gè xīngqī</span><span class="trans">two weeks</span>
*<em>两</em> 个 月 <span class="pinyin"><em>liǎng</em> gè yuè</span><span class="trans">two months</span>
*<em>两</em> 年 <span class="pinyin"><em>liǎng</em> nián</span><span class="trans">two years</span>
*<em>两</em> 次 <span class="pinyin"><em>liǎng</em> cì</span><span class="trans">two times / twice</span>
*<em>两</em> 块 钱 <span class="pinyin"><em>liǎng</em> kuài qián</span><span class="trans">2 kuai / 2 RMB</span>
*<em>两</em>百 <span class="expl">note: 二百 (èrbǎi) is also acceptable.</span><span class="pinyin"><em>liǎng</em>bǎi</span><span class="trans">200</span>
*<em>两</em>千 <span class="pinyin"><em>liǎng</em> qiān</span><span class="trans">2,000</span>
*我 <em>两</em> 个 都 要 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>liǎng</em> gè dōu yào.</span><span class="trans">I want both of them.</span>

</div>

== 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|<em>两</em> 个 人。<em>二</em> 十 <em>二</em>。|grammar point|ASGJ46H1}}
{{Similar|Structure of numbers}}
{{Rel char|两}}
{{Comparison|Numbers}}
{{Translation|two}}
{{Used for| Expressing quantity}}