😅 我今天二点上课？Nope! Say 两点 – Here’s Why

😅 我今天二点上课？Nope! Say 两点 – Here’s Why

Have you ever said something like:

👉 我今天二点上课。 (Wǒ jīntiān èr diǎn shàngkè.) – I have class at 2 o’clock today.

It sounds okay, right? But in Chinese, that’s not the right way to say 2 o’clock!

❌ What’s wrong?

The number 2 in Chinese has two words:

  • 二 (èr) – the number 2 itself
  • 两 (liǎng) – used before measure words and time

When we talk about time, we are counting hours. So “2 o’clock” is a kind of measure word phrase, and we need to use 两 (liǎng), not 二 (èr)!

🛠 Let’s Fix It

Wrong sentence:

❌  我今天二点上课。 Wǒ jīntiān èr diǎn shàngkè.


Correct sentence:

✅ 我今天两点上课。(Wǒ jīntiān liǎng diǎn shàngkè.) – I have class at 2 o’clock today.

💡 Use 两点 instead of 二点 when telling time.

    🤔 What About 十二点?

    Good question!

    You might be thinking: If we say 两点, why do we say 十二点 for 12 o’clock?

    💡 Here’s the answer:

    • 十二 (shí’èr) is a compound number, not just “2.” So it follows normal number rules. You don’t need to change it to 两.

    ✅ 十二点 (shí’èr diǎn) = 12 o’clock — this is correct!

    💡 Easy Tip to Remember

    • 📌 Use 两 (liǎng) when talking about 2 o’clock or 2 of something.
    • 📌 Use 二 (èr) when counting, doing math, or saying phone numbers.
    • 📌 But keep 十二点 — that’s a special case and it’s already correct!

    🎯 Interactive Practice

    Correct the Sentences If Necessary:


    1. ❌ 我们二点见面。

    ✅ Correct answer: 我们两点见面。(Wǒmen liǎng diǎn jiànmiàn.) – We’ll meet at 2 o’clock.


    2. ❌ 我二点有一个会议。

    ✅ Correct answer: 我两点有一个会议。(Wǒ liǎng diǎn yǒu yí ge huìyì.) – I have a meeting at 2.


    3. ❌ 你今天二点来吗？

    ✅ Correct answer: 你今天两点来吗？(Nǐ jīntiān liǎng diǎn lái ma?) – Are you coming at 2 today?


    4. ✅ 我中午十二点吃饭。(Wǒ zhōngwǔ shí’èr diǎn chīfàn.) – I eat lunch at 12 noon.

    ✔ This one is already correct!

      🚀 Final Reminder

      • 🚫 Don’t say 二点!
      • ✅ Say 两点 when telling the time.
      • ✅ Say 十二点 for 12 o’clock — no change needed!

      Now your Chinese will sound more natural and native! 😊⏰

      📚 Want to Learn More?

      Still confused about when to use 二 (èr) and 两 (liǎng) in general?

      👉 I wrote another blog that explains the difference in more detail — not just for time, but also for numbers and measure words.

      📖 Read it here:

      👉 Wrong Chinese Sentence: 二 vs. 两