zwei
two
The cardinal number that comes between one and three; the numeral 2.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe zwei Äpfel gekauft.
I bought two apples.
zwei
two
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Meanings
zwei
a couple
Used colloquially to refer to a small, indefinite number of things or people.
EXAMPLE
Ich brauche nur noch ein, zwei Minuten, dann bin ich fertig.
I just need another minute or two, then I'll be finished.
Usage tips
Pronunciation 'zwo'
To avoid confusion with the number 'drei' (three), 'zwo' is often said instead of 'zwei' (two) on the phone, in radio communication, or in the German armed forces. In everyday life, however, 'zwei' is the usual form.
EXAMPLE
Meine Telefonnummer ist fünf-neun-zwo-acht.
My phone number is five-nine-two-eight.
Genitive form
In written language and in formal contexts, 'zwei' (two) can take the genitive form 'zweier'. It is used to express possession or belonging.
EXAMPLE
Die Entscheidung zweier Richter stand am Ende fest.
The decision of two judges was final in the end.
Fixed expression
The combination 'ein, zwei' (one or two) is used as a fixed expression to indicate a small, imprecise amount. It means “a couple” or “a few.”
EXAMPLE
Ich habe da noch ein, zwei Fragen zu dem Thema.
I still have one or two questions about the topic.
Compare with
zwei vs beide
both
Zwei (two) and beide (both) can refer to two people or things. Zwei only states the number and can also refer to a subset, whereas beide refers to one and the other together and therefore denotes the complete pair. Use beide when no one or nothing from the pair is left out.
zwei
Ich nehme zwei der vier Tassen aus dem Schrank.
I’m taking two of the four cups out of the cupboard.
beide
Ich nehme beide Tassen aus dem Schrank, weil nur zwei dort stehen.
I’m taking both cups out of the cupboard because there are only two in it.
In real life
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