Chinese character for two: 二 (èr)
The Chinese character for two is 二 (èr). It means two or second, as in 二月 (èryuè, February). Before measure words Chinese uses 两 (liǎng) instead, as in 两个人 (two people).
How 二 is built
二 is two counting strokes, one above the other, the most direct way to write the number. The top stroke is shorter than the bottom one. 二 also appears in 仁 (benevolence), where it is often explained as two people. In modern slang 二 can mean silly, so watch the context. It is identical in simplified and traditional Chinese.
二 èr · two
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke
Origin hint: Two parallel lines; compare 一 (one) and 三 (three) (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
How 二 is used
Other ways to say two
- 两 liǎng — two, used before measure words (两个, two of something)
Before you use it as a tattoo or design: 二 can mean 'silly' in slang, so a lone 二 tattoo may be misread; use it within a date or phrase.
Questions
What is the Chinese character for two?
二 (èr) means “two”.
How do you pronounce 二?
二 is pronounced èr.