两 (liǎng) — two (before measure words)

两 (liǎng)

The form of "two" used directly before measure words (classifiers) and in quantities; it cannot appear in pure counting sequences or ordinals — that is the job of 二 (èr). See the 二 page for the full comparison.

Meanings

1. [number] Two (quantity, always before a measure word or unit).
2. [adjective] A couple of, a few (colloquial: 说两句, say a few words).

Example Sentences

我有两个哥哥。 Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè gēge. I have two older brothers.

请给我两杯咖啡。 Qǐng gěi wǒ liǎng bēi kāfēi. Please give me two cups of coffee.

她说了两句话就走了。 Tā shuōle liǎng jù huà jiù zǒu le. She said a couple of sentences and then left.

我们等了两个小时。 Wǒmen děngle liǎng gè xiǎoshí. We waited for two hours.

Collocations

Memory Hook

两 looks more complex than 二, just as the word for "two people" is more complicated than counting alone. When you have two people or two objects in front of you, grab 两; when you are just reciting numbers, use 二.