When we think of the number 「二」, it might seem straightforward at first, but in the Chinese language, it carries a variety of meanings and uses. Let’s dive into the different contexts where 「二」 plays a significant role:
Mandarin: èr
Cantonese: yi^6 (using Jyutping romanization)
- The Second Natural Number: In mathematics, 「二」 is the second natural number. It is written in uppercase as 「貳」 and in Arabic numerals as “2”.
- Quantity of Two: The number 「二」 is used to denote a quantity of two. Examples include:
- 「二人」 (two people)
- 「二部曲」 (a two-part series)
- 「二百元」 (two hundred yuan)
- Second in Order: 「二」 also signifies the second position in a sequence. For instance:
- 「老二」 (the second child)
- 「二姊」 (the second eldest sister)
- 「二手貨」 (second-hand goods)
- 「二房東」 (a sub-landlord)
- 「二等兵」 (a private second class)
- Duality: The concept of 「二」 can also imply duality or two of something. Examples include:
- 「不二價」 (fixed price, no bargaining)
- 「三心二意」 (indecisive, literally “three hearts, two minds”)
- 「說一不二」 (to mean what one says, literally “say one, not two”)
As you can see, 「二」 is much more than just a simple number. It is deeply embedded in various aspects of language and culture, illustrating the richness and complexity of Chinese expressions.
