How to use 二、两
二 vs 两
二 and 两 both relate to two, but they do different jobs. 二 is the digit used in counting, many multi-digit numbers, dates, and numbered positions. 两 normally expresses a quantity of two before a classifier or a unit. This helps distinguish naming a number from counting two things.
Keep 二 inside ordinary numbers such as twelve or twenty-two, even when a classifier follows the complete number. Two o'clock, however, conventionally uses 两. Before larger place values such as hundreds and thousands, 两 is common, and 二 is possible in some contexts. These are usage patterns rather than one rule based solely on whether a noun appears later.
Examples with pinyin and English
第二个
the second one
二十
20
两个小时
two hours
我两个都要。
I want both of them.
What to remember
- Use 二 for digits and ordinals.
- Use 两 before ordinary classifiers for two.
- Keep 二 within twelve and twenty-two.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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