二

• Pinyin: èr
• Hanzi breakdown: 二 = two horizontal strokes representing the number 2

Meaning

Two; the number 2. The basic numeral for the quantity two.

Used in counting, numbering, and ordering (第二, second; 二月, February; 二楼, second floor). When counting objects with a measure word, 两 is used instead (两个人, two people, NOT 二个人). 二 is for abstract numbers, ordinals, and fixed expressions.

Examples

1. 一加一等于二。 One plus one equals two.
2. 我住在二楼。 I live on the second floor.
3. 今天是二月二号。 Today is February 2nd.

Usage Guide

Context: numbers, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 第二个是我的。(The second one is mine.)
• 二加三等于五。(Two plus three equals five.)

Don't Say

• 二个苹果 (When counting with measure words, use 两 — say 两个苹果 for 'two apples')

Origin & History

Two horizontal strokes representing the number two — one of the simplest Chinese characters, directly depicting quantity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal