40.mw.md 4.8 KB
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 words 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.