Comparing "er" and "liang"

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 used in 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
• 二 十 èrshí20
• 二 十 块 钱 èrshí kuài qián20 RMB
• 二 十 二 个 人 èrshí-èr ge réntwenty-two people

Uses of 两 (liǎng)

两 (liǎng) is used with 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 ge xiǎoshítwo hours
• 两 点 liǎng diǎn2 o'clock
• 两 天 liǎng tiāntwo days
• 两 个 星期 liǎng ge xīngqītwo weeks
• 两 个 月 liǎng ge 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 ge dōu yào.I want both of them.

Sources and further reading

• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 16-7) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (p. 53)→buy
• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (p. 28) →buy