二
èr
Two
二 (èr) is the basic numeral for “two” in Mandarin Chinese, used in counting, phone numbers, and as part of larger numbers. However, when specifying a quantity of items, you almost always use 两 (liǎng) before a measure word.
When to use it
Both 二 and 两 are neutral in formality. 二 is used for abstract numbers or in sequences. 两 is used for quantities. 俩 (liǎ) is a casual contraction for “two people” or “two of something/someone” when the measure word is 个.
How to pronounce it
二 sounds like “err” with a falling tone (like saying “er…” with a definite stop). 两 sounds like “lee-ahng” with a rising tone (like “long” but with an “ee” sound at the start, rising).
Other ways to say it
- 两liǎngtwo (used before measure words)
- 俩liǎtwo (people/things, casual, short for 两个)
- 第二dì èrsecond (ordinal number)
Examples
我的电话号码有三个二。
wǒ de diàn huà hào mǎ yǒu sān gè èr 。
My phone number has three “twos”.
我有两本书。
wǒ yǒu liǎng běn shū 。
I have two books.
我们俩一起去。
wǒ men liǎ yì qǐ qù 。
The two of us will go together.
Pro tip: Remember the key difference: use 二 for abstract numbers (like 1, 2, 3) and in larger numbers (e.g., 二十, 二百), but use 两 before measure words when counting specific items (e.g., 两个人, 两杯咖啡).
Related phrases
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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