二
èr · HSK 1
two
✌️ Two horizontal strokes = the number two; one of the simplest Chinese numerals
二 is a pictographic numeral: two parallel horizontal lines literally count to two. Compare 一 (one stroke = 1) and 三 (three strokes = 3). The shape is the meaning.
二 — two horizontal strokes 一 + 一
二 is an indicative character showing the number two with two simple horizontal lines, parallel to 一 (one) and 三 (three). The form has been stable since oracle bone script. It directly represents the concept of 'two' rather than depicting any physical object.