The Major Differences Between 两(liǎng) and 二(èr)

Numbers are often one of the first topics that learners tackle when starting a new language, and Chinese is no different. However, Mandarin is unique in the fact that it has two different words to refer to the number two. How do you know the difference between them?

Let’s break it down:

The main difference is that you use 二 (èr) when counting or doing math. However, when you want to say “two of” something, then 两 (liǎng) is used in front of the measure word instead of 二. This is similar to “a pair” in English and can be used when describing two of almost anything. For example:

• 两个小时 (liǎng gè xiǎo shí) two hours;
• 两天 (liǎng tiān) two days;
• 两个星期 (liǎng gè xīng qī) two weeks;
• 两个月 (liǎng gè yuè) two months.

One example that stumps some people is the expression “2 o’clock.” Rather than using 二点 (èr diǎn), the correct way to say it is actually 两点 (liǎng diǎn), which literally means “two points on the clock.”

Let’s see some other differences worth exploring:

1) 二 (èr) can be used as an ordinal number, as in 第二(dì èr) for the second in a series, 二楼(èr lóu) for the second floor, and so on.

2) To indicate a numeral, fraction, or decimal in math, 二 should be used instead of 两. Keep in mind that in Chinese, the bottom number of the fraction will come first.

• ½ =   二分之一 (èr fēn zhī yī); ⅓ 三分之二(sān fēn zhī èr) 
• 0.2 零点二(líng diǎn èr) ； 2.4 二点四(èr diǎn sì) 

3) Use 二 in the tens and ones place for multi-digit numbers, such as 22 (二十二èrshí’èr). For the hundreds place, either两 or 二 can be used, such as in 200 (二百/两百,èrbǎi/liǎngbǎi). In the case of 千 (qiān, thousand), 万 (wàn, ten thousand), or 亿 (yì, hundred million), 两 is more commonly used.

For example:

• 2000(两千，liǎngqiān);
• 22222(两万两千二百二十二 liǎngwànliǎngqiānèrbǎièrshí’èr);
• 200000000(两亿，liǎngyì)

4) You can use either 两 or 二 before “traditional” units for capacity or weight (尺(chǐ) / 亩(mǔ) / 升(shēng).

For example:

• 二尺/两尺 (èr chǐ /liǎng chǐ) two Chinese feet (a traditional unit of length equivalent to 1/3 meter)；
• 二亩/两亩 (èr mǔ /liǎng mǔ) two Chinese acres (a traditional unit of land area equivalent to 1/6 hectare)；
• 二升/两升 (èr shēng /liǎng shēng) two liters (a metric unit of liquid volume).

However, “new” units for capacity and weight typically use 两.

For example:

• 两吨 (liǎng dūn) two metric tons；
• 两公里 (liǎng gōnglǐ) two kilometers.

Keep in mind that 两 also means 1/20 of a kilogram. To make this distinction clear, two-twentieths of a kilogram is written as 二两 (èr liǎng), not 两两 (liǎng liǎng).

5) To approximate a number, use 两 with either 一(yī) or 三(sān) in succession.

For example:

一两天(yī liǎng tiān) One or two days.

这个词我们学了两三次了。 (Zhè ge cí wǒ men xué le liǎng sān cì le.)
We’ve studied this word two or three times.

每个人要花两三百块钱。 (Měi gè rén yào huā liǎng sān bǎi kuài qián.) Every one needs to spend two to three hundred RMB.

6) 两 is also used alone to represent a small quantity, which 二 cannot do.

For example:

怎么就来了这么两个人?(Zěnme jiù lái le zhème liǎng gè rén ?)
How come so few people came?

7) In northern China, 俩(liǎ) is commonly used instead of 两个 to mean “the two of something.” For example, “我们俩 (wǒmen liǎ)” means “the two of us.” It can also be used to indicate a small quantity, such as “俩苹果(liǎpíngguǒ）” meaning “two apples.”

8) It’s worth noting that 贰, also pronounced “èr,” is used to represent the number 2 on items like cheques to prevent forgery.

Understanding the differences between 二 and 两 is an essential part of basic Chinese grammar. While both characters can represent the number 2, they are used in different contexts and have distinct nuances. Remember that 二 is used for ordinal numbers and math, while 两 is used for approximate quantities and traditional units of measurement. By keeping these differences in mind, you can improve your Chinese language skills and avoid confusion in your conversations.