Comparing "er" and "liang"

An introduction to the different uses of 2 in Chinese, 二 and 两.

Structure

In Chinese, there are two words for two.

The digit 2 is 二 (èr). This is used generally in numbers, when counting to ten and so on. When specifying quantities, however, 两 (liǎng) is used. This is when you want to say "two of" something.

A good rule is that if a measure word is used, use 两. 二 does not generally occur with measure words.

Also remember that two o'clock uses 两: 两点. It's two points on the clock, which is a quantity, so 两 is used.

Examples

Here are some common examples of 二 in action:

• 第 二 #2; second
• 第 二 个 the second one
• 二 号 #2; the second (of the month)
• 二 号 线 Line 2 (as of a subway)
• 二 楼 floor 2
• 二十二 22
• 二百 (note: 两百 is also acceptable.) 200

Here are some common examples of 两 in action:

• 两 个 人 two people
• 两 年 two years
• 两 个 月 two months
• 两 天 two days
• 两点 2 o'clock
• 两百 (note: 二百 is also acceptable.) 200
• 两千 2,000
• 两万 20,000

Sources and further reading

Books

• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 16-7) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 53)→buy