一、二、三，我们开始。
One, two, three—let’s begin.
Beginner numbers in Chinese
Start with the number words from one to ten. Then compare 二 and 两, two forms that both translate as “two” but appear in different common patterns.
Count from 一 to 十
The first ten numbers are 一 yī, 二 èr, 三 sān, 四 sì, 五 wǔ, 六 liù, 七 qī, 八 bā, 九 jiǔ, and 十 shí. Keep the sequence together as a short rhythm, then practice the characters in both directions.
When you count upward, say 二. The same form appears in number strings and in many labels, such as 二号 (number two or the second day of the month).
Use 两 before many measure words
For an ordinary quantity before a measure word, 两 is common: 两本书 means two books, and 两个人 means two people. The measure word sits between the number and the noun.
This is a useful pattern, not a rule that replaces 二 everywhere. Time expressions such as 两点 are common too, so learn frequent combinations as whole phrases.
Examples
我有两本书。
I have two books.
二加三是五。
Two plus three is five.
Check what you remember
Which form fits before 本 in “___本书” (two books)?
- 二
- 两
In the spoken counting sequence one, two, three, which character is used?
- 二
- 两
Show answers and explanations
- 两. 两 commonly comes before a measure word such as 本.
- 二. The count is 一、二、三.