两
liǎng
Two (liǎng) · trad. 兩
两 (liǎng) is the word for "two" when expressing quantities, counting items, or indicating a pair. It is used before measure words, in some specific numbers like "two o'clock," and for "two" in a pair.
What does 两 (liǎng) mean?
两 (liǎng) means “two (liǎng)” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “two.”
When to use it
Neutral. It's crucial to use 两 before measure words (e.g., 两个人, "two people") instead of 二. 二 is used for counting (一二三, "one, two, three"), in phone numbers, and in larger numbers like 二十 (twenty) or 二百 (two hundred).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “LYAHNG,” with a dipping third tone: the voice drops and then comes back up. The “l” is like in “light,” and the “iang” is close to “young.”
Other ways to say it
- 两个liǎng getwo (of something)
- 两点liǎng diǎntwo o'clock
- 二十èr shítwenty (using 二 for numbers)
Examples
我有两只狗。
wǒ yǒu liǎng zhī gǒu.
I have two dogs.
我们有两张票。
wǒmen yǒu liǎng zhāng piào.
We have two tickets.
现在是两点半。
xiànzài shì liǎng diǎn bàn.
It's two thirty now.
Pro tip: Remember to use 两 (liǎng) when counting objects with a measure word, like "两本书" (two books), but use 二 (èr) when counting numbers in sequence (一二三) or in larger numbers like "二十" (twenty).
Related phrases
八 · Eight九 · Nine二十 · Twenty
Want to speak Chinese for real?
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →