Difference between revisions of "Comparing "er" and "liang""

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{{Grammar Box}}
 
{{Grammar Box}}
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== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
 
In Chinese, there are two words for two.
 
In Chinese, there are two words for two.
  
The digit 2 is 二. This is used generally in numbers, when counting to ten and so on. When specifying quantities, however, 两 is used. This is when you want to say two ''of'' something.
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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.
 
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 must be used.
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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.
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== Examples ==
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Here are some common examples of 二 in action:
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* 第 二 <span class="trans">#2; second</span>
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* 第 二 个 <span class="trans">the second one</span>
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* 二 号 <span class="trans">#2; the second (of the month)</span>
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* 二 号 线 <span class="trans">Line 2 (as of a subway)</span>
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* 二 楼 <span class="trans">floor 2</span>
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* 二十二 <span class="trans">22</span>
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* 二百 <span class="expl">(note: 两百 is also acceptable.))</span> <span class="trans">200</span>
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Here are some common examples of 两 in action:
  
==See also==
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* 两 个 人 <span class="trans">two people</span>
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* 两 年 <span class="trans">two years</span>
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* 两 个 月 <span class="trans">two months</span>
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* 两 天 <span class="trans">two days</span>
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* 两点 <span class="trans">2 o'clock</span>
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* 两百 <span class="expl">(note: 二百 is also acceptable.))</span> <span class="trans">200</span>
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* 两千 <span class="trans">2,000</span>
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* 两万 <span class="trans">20,000</span>
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==

Revision as of 03:44, 17 January 2013

Chinese-grammar-wiki-二.jpg

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