3.1: Comparing "er" and "liang"

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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 for 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
十二shí'èr12
二十èrshí20
十二块钱shí'èr kuài qián12 RMB
二十块钱èrshí kuài qián20 RMB
二十二个人èrshí-èr gè réntwenty-two people

Uses of 两 (liǎng)

两 (liǎng) Is for 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 gè xiǎoshítwo hours
两点liǎng diǎn2 o'clock
两天liǎng tiāntwo days
两个星期liǎng gè xīngqītwo weeks
两个月liǎng gè 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 gè dōu yào.I want both of them.