Meaning

Primary

Two People

Alternatives

Pair, Couple, Two Persons

Word Type

noun

Explanation

When you have two and person and then put them together, what do you get? You get a pair or two people.

Reading

ふたり
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading for this word is quite strange. If you know 二つ's reading, you can use that to remember the part (ふた). But, the that is the is a total exception, something you won't see too often (though you may have seen it in 一人). If you can use the reading of 一人 (aka if you've learned it already) then definitely use that. If not, do your best to remember the reading on your own. It's a strange one that doesn't connect to much else.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 二人のため

    for the two people, for the two of us

    二人のむすこ

    two sons, the couple's son

    二人のむすめ

    two daughters, the couple's daughter

Context Sentences

このアパートは二人には大きい。

This apartment is too big for two people.

あの二人はバドミントンのダブルスのパートナーです。

Those two people are badminton doubles partners.

せっかく二人のためにオーダーしたケーキなのに、なんで一人でたべちゃったの?

Why did you eat it alone when I ordered a cake for the two of us?

Kanji Composition