二
ji⁶
In Cantonese, the English number two can be expressed as 二 (ji⁶) or 兩 / 两.
Meaning: cardinal number 2 (num)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 二 | ji⁶ |
| 兩 / 两 | loeng⁵ |
Cantonese uses different words for two depending on whether you are referring to an abstract mathematical number or a specific quantity of items.
Which one should you use?
二 is used for the abstract number, when counting in a sequence, during mathematical operations or when expressing fractions. In contrast, use 兩 / 两 when the number is followed by a classifier or a noun to indicate a quantity of two items.
How does it change in a sentence?
When forming larger numbers, such as eleven (十一) or twenty (二十), use 二. Use 兩 / 两 when the number functions as a quantifier for a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
ji⁶
Did you know?
- The character 兩 originally referred to a unit of weight used in ancient China, which explains why it transitioned from a specific measurement to a general quantifier for 'two' of many things.
- Because 兩 is used for quantities, it is the standard way to say 'both' when referring to two specific things, whereas 二 cannot be used to mean 'both'.
- When giving a phone number or a room number, speakers use 二 even if the number represents a quantity, as these are treated as strings of individual digits rather than amounts.
Examples in context
- 十減二等如八。Subtract two from ten and you have eight.This sentence shows how to use 二 in a subtraction problem.Tatoeba #3475946 by nickyeow, translation #73472 by sacredceltic
- 我哋嘅身體有大約三分之二係水。Around two-thirds of our body is made up of water.This sentence demonstrates how to use 二 when expressing a fraction.Tatoeba #5794919 by nickyeow, translation #5695935 by shea
- 兩公婆應該得閒去浸溫泉，過吓二人世界。Sometimes it's good for a married couple to go to a hot spring together, just the two of them.This sentence shows the use of 二 in the phrase 'two people' (二人世界).Tatoeba #389466 by nickyeow, translation #40517 by papabear
- 兩個人Two people
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yating and Zikien are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting子健，你想飲咩？Zi gin, nei soeng jam me?Zikien, what do you want to drink?
- 子健 Tsz Kin我想飲冰茶。ngo soeng jam bing caa.I want to drink iced tea.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting好，咁我哋叫二杯冰茶。hou, gam ngo dei giu ji baai bing caa.Okay, then we will order two glasses of iced tea.
- 子健 Tsz Kin唔該，麻煩你。m goi, ma faan nei.Thanks, please do.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “two” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
