Difference between revisions of "Comparing "er" and "liang""
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A good rule is that if a [[measure word]] is used, use 两. 二 does not generally occur with measure words by itself. But 十二，二十二， 二百 can occur with measure words. | A good rule is that if a [[measure word]] is used, use 两. 二 does not generally occur with measure words by itself. But 十二，二十二， 二百 can occur with measure words. | ||
| − | == Examples == | + | === Examples === |
Here are some common examples of 二 in action: | Here are some common examples of 二 in action: | ||
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Here are some common examples of 两 in action: | Here are some common examples of 两 in action: | ||
| − | == Examples == | + | === Examples === |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
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{{Similar|Structure of numbers}} | {{Similar|Structure of numbers}} | ||
{{Rel char|两}} | {{Rel char|两}} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Comparison|Numbers}} |
{{Translation|two}} | {{Translation|two}} | ||
{{Used for| Expressing quantity}} | {{Used for| Expressing quantity}} | ||
Revision as of 02:40, 4 September 2013
In Chinese, there are two words for two.This is an introduction to the different uses of "2" in Chinese, namely 二 (èr) and 两 (liǎng).
Contents
二 is used in numbers
The digit 2 is 二 (èr). This is used generally in numbers, when counting to ten and so on.
A good rule is that if a measure word is used, use 两. 二 does not generally occur with measure words by itself. But 十二，二十二， 二百 can occur with measure words.
Examples
Here are some common examples of 二 in action:
- 第 二 #2; second
- 第 二 个 the second one
- 第 二 次 the second time
- 二 号 #2; the second (of the month)
- 二 号 线 Line 2 (as of a subway)
- 二 楼 floor 2
- 二 十 20
- 二 十 块 钱 22 RMB
- 二 十 二 22
- 二 十 二 个 人twenty two people
- 二 百 (note: 两百 is also acceptable.) 200
- 二 等奖 NEED TRANSLATION
- 二 年级 NEED TRANSLATION
- 二 层 小 楼 NEED TRANSLATION
两 is used with measure word
When specifying quantities, however, 两 (liǎng) is used. This is when you want to say "two of something. Note that two o'clock uses 两: 两点. It's two points on the clock, which is a quantity, so 两 is used. Also remember that in someplace people prefer 两 than 二. Hope it won't confuse you.
Here are some common examples of 两 in action:
Examples
- 两 个 人 two people
- 两个小时two hours
- 两分钟two minutes
- 两秒two seconds
- 两点 2 o'clock
- 两 天 two days
- 两个星期two weeks
- 两 个 月 two months
- 两 年 two years
- 我去了上海两次。NEED TRANSLATION
- 我家里有两只小猫。NEED TRANSLATION
- 我只有两块钱。NEED TRANSLATION
- 我要两杯咖啡。NEED TRANSLATION
- 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
