"Er and liang"

Structure

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.

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.

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

HSK2