<p>according to 《现代汉语规范词典》：</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>现代“二”和“两”的用法区别主要是：1.当作数字读或在数学中，用“二”不用“两”，如“一、二、三、四” “一加一等于二” “一元二次方程”。2.序数、小数、分数中用“二”不用“两”，如“第二” “二嫂” “零点二” “二分之一”。3.在一般量词前，个位数用“两”不用“二”，多位数中的个位数用“二”不用“两”，如“两个人” “两只” “两条” “两次” “一百五十二人” “十二次”。4.在传统的度量衡单位前“二” “两”都可用，只是在质量单位“两”前用“二”不用“两”，属于特例。如“二（两）亩地” “二（两）尺布” “二两酒（不说‘两两酒’）”。在我国法定计量单位和某些非法定计量单位前多用“两”，如“两吨” “两公里” “两（二）米”。5.在多位数中，百位、十位、个位用“二”，千位以上多用“两”，但首位以后的百、千、万前多用“二”，如“二百二十二” “两千元” “两亿人” “三万二千二百人”。㊁见“俩”。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>translation:</p>

<p>Major different of "二" and "两" in contemporary Chinese: 1. As a number or in mathematics, uses "二" but not "两". 2. In ordinal, decimal numbers and fractional numbers, uses "二" but not "两". 3. When used with normal counter word, for single digit number, uses "两" but not "二". For multiple digit numbers, uses "二" but not "两" in the digit in units. 4. When used with Chinese traditional units of measurement, both of them can be used. An exception is when "两" is used as a unit, only "二" is used. When used with official and unofficial unit of measurement, "两" is often used. 5. For digits other then the digit of unit in multiple digit numbers, "两" is preferred.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-28T07:09:35.607Z
2016-03-28T07:09:35.607Z
jackieyang
<p>两 always followed by a unit. for example, 两个，两只，两双。
二 is used for counting, used individually</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-28T06:48:15.453Z
Not necessarily true, like 三三两两, 模棱两可, 两败俱伤, 两难, etc.
Stan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-28T17:29:05.473Z
三三两两 模棱两可 两败俱伤 are idioms, known as 固定搭配。两难 I will say it is 固定搭配 as well。In 两败 and 两难，两 are followed by 败 and 难，it proves what I answered.
Adam Freeland
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-30T19:28:15.197Z
Hi chchannn, thank you for your contribution! It would be better if you add more information with reference :D
George
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-28T05:49:01.513Z
2016-03-28T05:49:01.513Z
Adam Freeland
<p>二 two<br>
两(兩) two, both, a few, pair &lt;- measure word<br>
双(雙) two (as a pair), both, twins<br>
贰(貳) two   </p>

<p>Example:  </p>

<p>我有兩本書  &lt;- you should use a measure word (两) here </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-27T18:11:54.863Z
What you mean by "measure word" is not clear in the answer. Do you mean 两 is a measure word?
Stan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-27T14:54:21.023Z
2016-03-27T20:02:58.597Z
2016-03-27T20:02:58.597Z
boctulus
<p>I know both mean "two," but what differentiates the two?</p>

<p>If there is a difference, when do I use 两 and when do I use 二?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-27T14:06:00.617Z
covered by Chinese grammars
user6065
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-28T02:14:35.457Z
[See here](http://wenku.baidu.com/view/1b77fdd0360cba1aa811da09.html?re=view)
Albert
<difference><meaning>
Difference between 两 and 二?
# Difference between 两 and 二?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-03-27)

I know both mean "two," but what differentiates the two?

If there is a difference, when do I use 两 and when do I use 二?

**Tags:** difference, meaning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: covered by Chinese grammars  
> **username_2**: [See here](http://wenku.baidu.com/view/1b77fdd0360cba1aa811da09.html?re=view)  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2016-03-28. Score: 1

according to 《现代汉语规范词典》：

> 现代“二”和“两”的用法区别主要是：1.当作数字读或在数学中，用“二”不用“两”，如“一、二、三、四” “一加一等于二” “一元二次方程”。2.序数、小数、分数中用“二”不用“两”，如“第二” “二嫂” “零点二” “二分之一”。3.在一般量词前，个位数用“两”不用“二”，多位数中的个位数用“二”不用“两”，如“两个人” “两只” “两条” “两次” “一百五十二人” “十二次”。4.在传统的度量衡单位前“二” “两”都可用，只是在质量单位“两”前用“二”不用“两”，属于特例。如“二（两）亩地” “二（两）尺布” “二两酒（不说‘两两酒’）”。在我国法定计量单位和某些非法定计量单位前多用“两”，如“两吨” “两公里” “两（二）米”。5.在多位数中，百位、十位、个位用“二”，千位以上多用“两”，但首位以后的百、千、万前多用“二”，如“二百二十二” “两千元” “两亿人” “三万二千二百人”。㊁见“俩”。

translation:

Major different of "二" and "两" in contemporary Chinese: 1. As a number or in mathematics, uses "二" but not "两". 2. In ordinal, decimal numbers and fractional numbers, uses "二" but not "两". 3. When used with normal counter word, for single digit number, uses "两" but not "二". For multiple digit numbers, uses "二" but not "两" in the digit in units. 4. When used with Chinese traditional units of measurement, both of them can be used. An exception is when "两" is used as a unit, only "二" is used. When used with official and unofficial unit of measurement, "两" is often used. 5. For digits other then the digit of unit in multiple digit numbers, "两" is preferred.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2016-03-28. Score: 0

两 always followed by a unit. for example, 两个，两只，两双。
二 is used for counting, used individually

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: Not necessarily true, like 三三两两, 模棱两可, 两败俱伤, 两难, etc.  
> **username_4**: 三三两两 模棱两可 两败俱伤 are idioms, known as 固定搭配。两难 I will say it is 固定搭配 as well。In 两败 and 两难，两 are followed by 败 and 难，it proves what I answered.  
> **username_6**: Hi chchannn, thank you for your contribution! It would be better if you add more information with reference :D  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2016-03-27. Score: 0

二 two  
两(兩) two, both, a few, pair <- measure word  
双(雙) two (as a pair), both, twins  
贰(貳) two

Example:

我有兩本書 <- you should use a measure word (两) here

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: What you mean by "measure word" is not clear in the answer. Do you mean 两 is a measure word?  

---

