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

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#REDIRECT [["Er and liang"]]
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{{Grammar Box}}
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== Structure ==
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In Chinese, there are two words for two.
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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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A good rule is that if a [[measure word]] is used, use 两. 二 does not generally occur with measure words.
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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 must be used.
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==See also==
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== Sources and further reading ==
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=== Books ===
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* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 16-7) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
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* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 53)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
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[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
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{{Basic Grammar|二|A1|二/两|<em>两</em> 个 人。<em>二</em>十<em>二</em>。|grammar point|ASGJ46H1}}
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{{Similar|Structure of numbers}}
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{{Rel char|两}}
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{{POS|Numbers}}
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{{Used for| Expressing quantity}}

Revision as of 07:37, 6 September 2012

Chinese-grammar-wiki-二.jpg

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.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books