num.
Two parallel strokes representing the number two. Two; second; twice; double. Two equal horizontal lines, like counting one, two.
二
Common Usage & Traps
- 一二三 — one, two, three (counting)
- 二十 — twenty
- 十二 — twelve
- 二月 — February
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二个人两个人Before a counting word like 个, use 两. 二 belongs in plain numbers and compounds.
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现在二点现在两点When 点 means o'clock, use 两. Keep 二 for decimals like 二点五.
两 vs 二: When to use which word for 'two' in Chinese?
Use 两 before a counting word; use 二 for plain numbers, dates, phones, and compounds.
Chinese splits 'two' into two jobs. Use 两 when a counting word follows: 两个人, 两天, 两块. Use 二 when you are just saying digits or building numbers: 一、二、三, 十二, 二十. Dates and months also take 二: 二月, 二号. Phone numbers and math use 二 too: 二零二, 二点五. Think of 两 as 'two things' and 二 as 'the digit 2'. “一二三四五， 今天星期五。” (One, two, three, four, five — today is Friday.) ── [《一二三（2）》](/read/counting-days-rhymes#s1)
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Before 个, 天, 块 | 两个人, 两天, 两块 | 二个人, 二天, 二块 |
| Plain counting | 一、二、三 | 一、两、三 |
| Compound numbers | 十二, 二十 | 十两, 两十 |
| Dates and months | 二月, 二号 | 两月, 两号 |
| Phone and math digits | 二零二, 二点五 | 两零二, 两点五 |
Do you really say 两点 for two o'clock, not 二点?
Two o'clock is 两点, not 二点; 二点五 means 2.5, not 2:00.
点 does double duty: o'clock and decimal point. For o'clock, 点 acts like a counting word, so two o'clock is 两点. For decimals, 二 is the digit: 二点五 is 2.5. Saying 现在二点 sounds like 'now is two-point' or a broken time phrase. Say 现在两点 for 2:00.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Two o'clock | 两点 | 二点 |
| Decimal 2.5 | 二点五 | 两点五 |
Featured in Story Deep Dive
Follow how this word unfolds across the narrative arc of this graded story.
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.
- Scene #1
一 二 三四五，今天星期五。
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