num.
Two units counted together as an inseparable pair. Two, both, a couple, a few; also a unit of weight (tael).
两
m.
tael (unit of weight equal to 50 grams)
Common Usage & Traps
- 两个人 — two people
- 两天 — two days
- 两块钱 — two yuan
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二个人两个人个 is a measure word, so 两 takes the slot. 二 alone is for plain counting.
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二本书两本书本 is a measure word, so you say 两本书, never 二本书.
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两十二十二十 is a compound number, not a measure-word phrase. Use 二 inside numbers.
Why do Chinese people say 两个人 instead of 二个人?
Use 两 before a measure word; use 二 for counting, compound numbers, math, and phones.
A measure word like 个, 天, or 块 needs 两 in front of it. So you say 两个人, 两天, 两块钱, never 二个人, 二天, 二块钱. 二 is the number you use for pure counting: 一, 二, 三. At a coffee shop, ask for 两杯咖啡, not 二杯咖啡.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| People | 两个人 | 二个人 |
| Days | 两天 | 二天 |
| Money | 两块钱 | 二块钱 |
| Pure counting | 一、二、三 | 一、两、三 |
Why is 20 二十, not 两十?
Inside numbers, 二 does the work: 十二, 二十, 二十二, not 十两 or 两十.
二十 is literally two tens, but Chinese treats it as a compound number. Compound numbers use 二, not 两: 十二, 二十, 二十二, 三十二. The 两 form is waiting for a measure word, not for another number. So you say 二十个人, not 两十个人.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 二十 | 两十 |
| 12 | 十二 | 十两 |
| 22 | 二十二 | 两十二 |
| 20 people | 二十个人 | 两十个人 |
Can you use 两 in phone numbers, years, or math?
No. In phone numbers, years, and math, read the digit 2 as 二.
Phone numbers are read digit by digit, so 2 is always 二. Years like 2025 are 二零二五, again digit by digit. Math stays with 二: 二加二等于四, not 两加两. Use 两 only when a measure word follows, like 两个人 or 两杯咖啡.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Phone number | 一三八二... | 一三八两... |
| Year 2025 | 二零二五 | 两零两五 |
| Math | 二加二 | 两加两 |
| Measure word | 两杯咖啡 | 二杯咖啡 |
Appears in Stories 7 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
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.
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我买了三个小苹果， 两 个大苹果。
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我问超市的人那 两 个苹果是哪里的？
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'!
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星期天，星期日， 两 个名字都可以。
In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.
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Ｂ：因为我不喜欢运动，所以这 两 个我都不喜欢。
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.
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休息 两 星期，七天住医院医生人很好，房间大漂亮。
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.
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今天，面条里有 两 个大鸡蛋。
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.
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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。
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.
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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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