二 vs 两: Which "Two" Should You Use?
Both 二 and 两 mean "two." Learn a practical starting rule for counting, quantities, and telling the time.
The quick answer
Use 二 when counting numbers and in numbers such as 十二 and 二十. Use 两 before many measure words when talking about two of something.
This is a useful starting rule, not the complete rule for every expression.
Use 二 when saying numbers
Example
一、二、三
one, two, three
Example
十二
twelve
Example
二十
twenty
Example
二十二
twenty-two
Do not replace 二 with 两 inside 十二 or 二十.
Use 两 for two of something
Example
两个人
two people
Example
两个苹果
two apples
Example
两杯茶
two cups of tea
Example
我要两杯茶。
I would like two cups of tea.
Notice the measure word between 两 and the item: 个 or 杯.
Clock time and duration are different
Example
现在是两点。
It is two o'clock now.
Example
我等了两个小时。
I waited for two hours.
Example
十二点
twelve o'clock
Two o'clock is commonly 两点, but the 二 inside 十二 stays 二.
Prices and positions
Example
这个二十元。
This costs twenty yuan.
Example
第二
second
Example
二楼
the second floor
Example
两元
two yuan
Do not assume all prices use 二. Twenty yuan contains the number 二十; two yuan can be 两元.
What about two hundred?
Both 二百 and 两百 are used for 200. For a first lesson, focus on the clearer contrasts: 二十 versus 两杯茶. Larger-number patterns can be learned separately.
A two-minute practice
Choose 二 or 两:
- ___杯茶
- ___十元
- 十___
- ___个人
- 第___
Answers:
- 两杯茶
- 二十元
- 十二
- 两个人
- 第二
Read the complete expressions aloud, rather than memorizing the answer in isolation.
Next: open the Numbers topic, then practice ordering two drinks in the Food topic.