liǎng

two

HSK 2

한자 분해

Usage of (liǎng)

The character is primarily used to indicate the number two when counting objects or people. It is commonly used before measure words () to specify quantity, such as (two books), (two cups of water), or 个人 (two people).

Distinction from (èr)

While both and mean "two," is used before measure words and in counting tangible items or people, whereas is often used in ordinal numbers, phone numbers, or mathematical contexts. For example, you say (two cats) but (the second one).

Common Collocations

  • 个人 (two people): used to count people
  • (two cups of water): used with containers
  • (two cars): used with vehicles

Important Notes

  • is always followed by a measure word; it cannot stand alone to mean "two" without a classifier.
  • It is a very common and natural way to express the number two in everyday conversation.
  • Avoid confusing with in contexts where ordinal numbers or abstract counting is required.

예문

我买了两本书。

Wǒ mǎi le liǎng běn shū.

I bought two books.

请给我两杯水。

Qǐng gěi wǒ liǎng bēi shuǐ.

Please give me two cups of water.

他有两只猫。

Tā yǒu liǎng zhī māo.

He has two cats.

两个人一起去看电影。

Liǎng gè rén yīqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng.

Two people are going to watch a movie together.

我家有两辆车。

Wǒ jiā yǒu liǎng liàng chē.

My family has two cars.