Difference between revisions of "Comparing "er" and "liang""
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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. | + | 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 | + | 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: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * 第 二 <span class="trans">#2; second</span> | ||
| + | * 第 二 个 <span class="trans">the second one</span> | ||
| + | * 二 号 <span class="trans">#2; the second (of the month)</span> | ||
| + | * 二 号 线 <span class="trans">Line 2 (as of a subway)</span> | ||
| + | * 二 楼 <span class="trans">floor 2</span> | ||
| + | * 二十二 <span class="trans">22</span> | ||
| + | * 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: | ||
| − | == | + | * 两 个 人 <span class="trans">two people</span> |
| + | * 两 年 <span class="trans">two years</span> | ||
| + | * 两 个 月 <span class="trans">two months</span> | ||
| + | * 两 天 <span class="trans">two days</span> | ||
| + | * 两点 <span class="trans">2 o'clock</span> | ||
| + | * 两百 <span class="expl">(note: 二百 is also acceptable.))</span> <span class="trans">200</span> | ||
| + | * 两千 <span class="trans">2,000</span> | ||
| + | * 两万 <span class="trans">20,000</span> | ||
== Sources and further reading == | == Sources and further reading == | ||
Revision as of 03:44, 17 January 2013
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
