二 vs 两(èr vs liǎng)
Two (Numbers vs Quantities)
Structure Pattern
Explanation
Both 二 (èr) and 两 (liǎng) mean the number "two," but their usage is strictly separated.
1. 二 (èr) - Counting and Numbers
Use 二 when you are dealing with pure numbers, math, counting, or sequential ordering.
- Counting: 一, 二, 三 (1, 2, 3)
- Math: 二加二等于四 (2+2=4)
- Ordinal numbers: 第二 (second)
- Compound numbers (except the start of hundreds/thousands): 十二 (12), 二十二 (22)
2. 两 (liǎng) - Quantities
Use 两 when you are counting quantities of things (two of something). It is almost always followed by a measure word.
- Two items: 两个人 (two people), 两本书 (two books)
- Time: 两点 (2 o'clock), 两个小时 (two hours), 两天 (two days)
Note: For 200, 2000, 20000, both are acceptable (二百/两百), but 两 is more common in speech.
Example Sentences
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Wǒ yào liǎng gè píngguǒ.
I want two apples.
Tā pái dì èr.
He ranks second.
Xiànzài shì xiàwǔ liǎng diǎn.
It is 2 PM now.
Èr yuè yǒu èrshíbā tiān.
February has 28 days.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
我有二个弟弟。
Correct Usage
我有两个弟弟。
When stating the quantity of a noun, you must use 两 + measure word, not 二.
Common Mistake
今天是两月两日。
Correct Usage
今天是二月二日。
Dates are sequential numbers (the second month, the second day), so they use 二.
Master 二 vs 两
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