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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing the numeral two with 二 (èr)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Explanation

    The character 二 (èr) is the numeral 'two' in Chinese. It is used in counting, dates, and fixed expressions, but when specifying a quantity before a measure word, 两 (liǎng) is typically preferred. 二 is standard in ordinal contexts such as 第二 (second) and in day names like 周二 (Tuesday).

    Examples

    • 今天是十二月二号。

      Jīntiān shì shí'èr yuè èr hào.

      Today is December 2nd.

    • 她在比赛中获得了第二名。

      Tā zài bǐsài zhōng huòdéle dì èr míng.

      She won second place in the competition.

    • 我们周二下午有一节历史课。

      Wǒmen zhōu'èr xiàwǔ yǒu yì jié lìshǐ kè.

      We have a history class on Tuesday afternoon.

    Expressing the numeral two with 二 (èr) | Chinese Grammar