Discussion of 两/兩

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How is 两 used to express a quantity or amount? (liǎng)

个学生

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两 (liǎng) is used to express a quantity or amount of 50 grams in Chinese. It is used in the same way as the English word "pair" is used to express a quantity of two. For example, 一两苹果 (yī liǎng píngguǒ) means "one pair of apples" and is equivalent to saying "50 grams of apples". 两 is also used to express other quantities, such as 两百 (liǎng bǎi) which means "200" or "two hundred".

当老师

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The character 两 (liǎng) can indeed mean both “two” and “50 grams” (as a traditional unit of weight).

Here’s how to tell them apart:
When 两 means “two”, it's used as the numeral “two” before measure words:

- 两个人 (two people)
- 两本书 (two books)
- 两天 (two days)

两 is also used in certain set expressions:

- 一两句话 (a few words, literally "one or two sentences")
- 两边 (both sides)

In these cases, 两 simply replaces 二 (èr) when counting specific things, especially before measure words.

When 两 means “50 grams” (as a unit of weight), it's used in the context of weight or measuring:

- 半斤八两 (literally "half a jin, eight liang" — meaning "two of a kind")
- 买二两茶 (buy 2 liang of tea = ~100 grams)
- 一两银子 (one liang of silver)

In modern usage, this old Chinese weight unit (两 ≈ 50 grams) is mostly seen in traditional markets, recipes, or historical contexts.

Tip to tell the difference - Look at context:
- If 两 is followed by a measure word for objects, people, time → usually means “two.”
- If it’s in a context of weight, trade, cooking, medicine, or historical references → usually the weight unit.

lisaC

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