01
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
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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' and 'beide' both have to do with the number 2. 'zwei' only states the number: it is not one and not three. 'beide' is used when two people or things are already known and you mean the one and the other together. Learners easily confuse the words because both cases are about two. As a practical rule: for the pure quantity, say 'zwei'; for 'the two together', say 'beide'.
zwei
Für den Ausflug brauche ich zwei Fahrkarten.
I need two tickets for the trip.
beide
Beide Fahrkarten liegen schon in meiner Tasche.
Both tickets are already in my bag.
In real life
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