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二 vs 两 (èr vs liǎng) — Two ways to say "two"

二 is the bare numeral used in counting, maths, dates and serial numbers. 两 means "two of something" and is the form used before measure words — and before 百 / 千 / 万. Rule of thumb: if a measure word follows, use 两.

numberHSK 1Difficulty 25
Where it goes
两 + measure + noun: 两个人, 两杯咖啡. 二 in sequences and dates: 一二三四, 二月, 第二.
What it does
  • 01两 before measure words: 两个学生, 两匹马
  • 02两 before 百 / 千 / 万: 两百块, 两千人
  • 03二 in counting, ordinals, dates and maths: 一、二、三; 二月; 百分之二
  • 04Phone numbers, room numbers and codes use 二 digit by digit.
Common learner errors
  • 二个学生 → 两个学生
  • 二本书 → 两本书
  • But 二月 (February) is correct with 二 — dates are a 二 zone.
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