A balancing scale holding a pair of equal weights. Two, both, a couple, several; a 50-gram tael unit. Picture a top beam with two equal weights hanging inside a frame, left and right.
Use 两 before measure words like 个; 二 is for counting numbers (1, 2, 3) or in compound numbers like 二十.
Use 两 before measure words like 天; 二 is not used directly before measure words in spoken Chinese.
Use 两 before measure words; use 二 for counting and in numbers like 二十.
| Context | Use 两 | Use 二 |
|---|---|---|
| Before measure words | 两个人 (two people) | 二个人 (incorrect) |
| Counting numbers | 一, 两, 三 (incorrect) | 一, 二, 三 (correct) |
| Numbers 10-99 | 二十 (incorrect) | 二十 (correct) |
| Telling time (o'clock) | 两点 (two o'clock) | 二点 (incorrect) |
俩 means 'two people' and already includes the measure word 个, so you don't add 个 after it.
| Usage | 两 | 俩 |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | two (general) | two people (contraction of 两个) |
| With measure word | 两个人 (correct) | 俩个人 (incorrect) |
| Example | 两个苹果 (two apples) | 我们俩 (the two of us) |
| Part of speech | numeral | numeral + measure word |
Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.
大学里面的学生，每天学四个学时，四年要学 两千八百 个学时。
他们过五级要 两千 个学时。
有 两千 个小时这么多时间学习吗？
我自己还下了一个APP，做HSK题，自己学了最多 两百 个小时。
This short, simple story follows a shopper's trip to the supermarket to buy apples. You'll learn useful vocabulary for shopping, prices, and comparing things.
我买了三个小苹果， 两 个大苹果。
我问超市的人那 两 个苹果是哪里的？
In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.
Ｂ：因为我不喜欢运动，所以这 两 个我都不喜欢。
最近我每周都游 两三次 ，但看电影是我最大的爱好！
In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.
B：左边那 两个 小朋友是你的孩子？
两位 老人都喜欢在家吃。
This simple HSK 2 story introduces a warm family of six. Follow Little Bao and his British wife as they raise their two green-eyed children, each with their own personality.
“小包先生”的家有六口人，他的爸妈、儿子、女儿和他们 两口子 。
两个 孩子的眼睛的颜色都不是黑色的，都是绿色的。
In this HSK 1 story, two old friends from Britain and China share a meal with their girlfriends. A simple question about who pays leads to a clever and funny solution.
我们 两个 今天请女朋友吃饭。
This playful poem turns numbers into a rhythm of daily life. As you read, practice counting, days of the week, and common time words in a fun, memorable way.
工作 两三 年，休息四五天，读书一小时，吃饭五分钟。
This rhythmic poem helps you practice numbers from one to ten and larger units. Listen to the beat and count along!
千万亿， 两点半 。
Before you read, try clapping the rhythm. This poem introduces the days of the week and a fun secret: Chinese has two names for Sunday, but no 'Week Seven'!
星期天，星期日， 两 个名字都可以。
Follow a traveler's unexpected hospital stay in China, where counting days and costs becomes practical learning. Practice numbers, dates, food prices, and simple descriptions of a doctor and room.
休息 两 星期，七天住医院医生人很好，房间大漂亮。
Join a family on a sweltering Beijing Sunday as a boy learns a funny lesson about playing outside in the summer heat. Perfect for HSK 1 learners.
我和我爱人在北京七月的下午 两点 ，坐上车和儿子去学校。
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
今天，面条里有 两 个大鸡蛋。
Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.
到家了我就让保姆煮一碗清汤面，打 两个 蛋。
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
今天我们就来为方便面说 两 句话——方便面真的是被大家误会了。
This playful poem helps you count and practice vocabulary about clothes, students, and pets. Enjoy the rhythm while learning new words.
一两件 新衣服， 两三本 汉语书。
Meet Xiao Shang, who is heading back to Shanghai. She compares two ways to travel and tells us why she prefers the slower one. This story helps you practice comparing transportation in simple Chinese.
从北京到上海坐飞机，不到 两 个小时，但是要坐火车，就要最少五个多小时。
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