两 · 二
两 for “two of something”; 二 for counting, inside numbers and in 第二
Structure
两 + 量词 + 名词 · 二 用于数数、十二、二十、第二
What it means
Chinese has two words for “two”: 两 means “two of something”; 二 is the number two for counting and inside numbers.
How it is built
两 + measure word + noun: 两个老师 (two teachers). 二 in counting and numbers: 一、二、三, 十二 (12), 二十 (20), 第二 (second).
When to use it
Before a measure word such as 个, use 两. For counting, inside numbers and for order (第二), use 二. For 200, both 两百 and 二百 are fine.
Watch out
✗ 二个 ✓ 两个. But inside a bigger number keep 二: twelve people is 十二个人, never 十两个人.
Examples
他们两个是中国人。
Those two are Chinese.
一、二、三！
One, two, three!
十二、二十、第二
12, 20, second
Learn this in 启蒙 · Lesson 4: 一二三四五 (Numbers and first strokes)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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