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." The "l" is like in "light," the "iang" is like "young" but with a slightly more nasal "a" sound, and it has a rising tone.
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
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