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HSK 2.0 Level 1+ HSK 3.0 Level 1+ 6 min read

二, 两, 零 and 半 for Saying Numbers

Build Chinese numbers from 一 to 千, choose between 二 and 两, fill gaps with 零, and say “half” and “one and a half” with 半.

Pattern

number (+ 百 / 千 / 十) …; 两 + measure word; number + measure word + 半

Say 二 when you count, but 两 right before a measure word; 零 fills an empty place, and 半 comes after the measure word in 一个半.

我们班有二十二个学生和两个老师。

When to use 二, 两, 零 and 半 for Saying Numbers

Chinese numbers are built like a small sum: 十一 is “ten one” (11), 二十 is “two tens” (20), 三百二十五 is 325. If a place in the middle is empty, say 零: 一百零五 is 105. Use 二 when you count and inside numbers (十二, 二十), in dates and phone numbers; use 两 right before a measure word: 两个, 两本. 半 means “half”: 半个苹果 is half an apple, and 一个半小时 is an hour and a half.

我有两个姐姐。

I have two older sisters.

今天是五月二号。

Today is May 2nd.

我们学校有一百零五个老师。

Our school has 105 teachers.

这个电影一个半小时。

This movie is an hour and a half long.

Common traps

  • Before a measure word, say 两, not 二: 两个人, not 二个人.
  • Keep 二 inside 十二 and 二十, and in dates: 二月二号.
  • Don’t skip 零 for an empty middle place: 一百零五 is 105, but 一百五 means 150.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

现在 点，我们去吃午饭吧

It’s two o’clock now; let’s go have lunch
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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