🧐 两 liǎng vs 俩 liǎ – What’s the Difference?

Both 两 (liǎng) and 俩 (liǎ) relate to the number “two,” but they’re not used the same way! 

The key difference? It’s whether a measure word is needed.

Let’s clear up the confusion with examples.

🔍  Breakdown

🟠 两 (liǎng) – means “two,” used with measure words

• Can be used for objects, animals, or people

• Followed by a measure word (个 ge, 本 běn, 只 zhī, etc.)

🟢 俩 (liǎ) – used without measure words, often with people

• Usually follows personal pronouns like 我们 wǒmen, 你们 nǐmen, 他们 tāmen, and 她们 tāmen

💬  Easy Examples

🟠 两 (liǎng) – two (used with objects or people + measure words)

Example 1:

我有两个苹果。

Wǒ yǒu liǎng ge píngguǒ.

👉 I have two apples.

📝 Objects always use 两 + measure word.

Example 2:

他养了两只猫。

Tā yǎng le liǎng zhī māo.

👉 He has two cats.

📝 Animals also use 两 + measure word.

Example 3:

我买了两本书。

Wǒ mǎi le liǎng běn shū.

👉 I bought two books.

📝 Objects clearly need 两 + measure word.

🟢 俩 (liǎ) – often follows pronouns and does not take a measure word. Commonly used to mean “the two of us/them/etc.”

Example 1:

我们俩去吃饭吧！

Wǒmen liǎ qù chīfàn ba!

👉 Let’s both go eat!

📝 Casual expression, referring specifically to two people.

Example 2:

他们俩是好朋友。

Tāmen liǎ shì hǎo péngyou.

👉 They two (both of them) are good friends.

📝 Used for two people with no measure words, casual conversation.

Example 3:

你们俩怎么认识的？

Nǐmen liǎ zěnme rènshi de?

👉 How did you two meet?

📝 Again, referring to two people with no measure words.

⚠️ Common Mistakes (Watch Out!)

❌ 我买了两书。(Wrong!)

(Wǒ mǎi le liǎng shū.)

✅ 我买了两本书。(Correct!)

(Wǒ mǎi le liǎng běn shū.)

👉 I bought two books.

📝 Use 两 (liǎng) with a measure word (本, 个, etc.) before nouns.

❌ 他们俩个是老师。 (Wrong!)

(Tāmen liǎ ge shì lǎoshī.)

✅ 他们俩是老师。 (Correct!)

(Tāmen liǎ shì lǎoshī.)

👉 Both of them are teachers.

📝 俩 (liǎ) already includes the meaning “two people,” so don’t add a measure word.

🎯  Interactive Practice

Choose the correct word: 两 (liǎng) or 俩 (liǎ)

1. 你们______想吃什么？

(Nǐmen ______ xiǎng chī shénme?)

👉 What do you two want to eat?

✅ Correct answer: 俩 (liǎ)

💡 Refers to two people, and there is not a measure word.

2. 我家里有______只狗。

(Wǒ jiā lǐ yǒu ______ zhī gǒu.)

👉 I have two dogs at home.

✅ Correct answer: 两 (liǎng)

💡 Animals + measure word.

3. 我想买______件衣服。

(Wǒ xiǎng mǎi ______ jiàn yīfu.)

👉 I want to buy two pieces of clothing.

✅ Correct answer:  两 (liǎng)

💡 Objects + measure word.

4. 他们______去看电影了。

(Tāmen ______ qù kàn diànyǐng le.)

👉 They two went to watch a movie.

✅ Correct answer:  俩 (liǎ)

💡 About two people, no measure word and casual.

🚀 Final Tip

📌 Use 两 (liǎng) to count anything, people or objects (with a measure word).

📌 Use 俩 (liǎ) when talking casually about “two” without a measure word — usually for people, and often after pronouns.

✍️ Try making two sentences:

– one with 两 with a measure word

– one with 俩 without a measure word

Practice makes progress! 加油！💪

👉 Think this was tricky? More word pairs are waiting to mess with your brain — check them out here! 😄📘