Definition
两 (liǎng) is used before measure words to say 'two' of something (两个人 'two people'), whereas 二 (èr) is the number 'two' itself (二 'two', 第二 'second'). Use 二 for counting, phone numbers, and ordinals; use 两 before most measure words and units. 两 can also mean 'both' when followed by 都 (两…都 'both …').
numeral
two (used before measure words or nouns that indicate quantity)both (of two parties or sides)
Easily confused
- 丛cónglook-alike(classifier) for clusters of plants, bushes, grass, or hair
- 亮liàngsound-alikebright; light (in color or illumination)
- 俩liǎlook-aliketwo (colloquial, equivalent to 两个)
- 量liàngsound-aliketo measure
- 辆liànglook-alike(classifier) used for vehicles
- 量liàngsound-alikequantity, amount
- 坐zuòlook-aliketo sit
- 凉liángsound-alikecool, cold
- 内nèilook-alikeinside; within; interior
- 良liángsound-alike(adv, literary) very; used in set phrases before certain adjectives (多, 久, 苦, etc.)
Examples
- 两。Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè píngguǒ.I have two apples.
- 。Wǒmen liǎng diǎn zǒu.We'll leave at two o'clock.
- 两。liǎng gè rén dōu lái le.Both people have come.
Grammar
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