兄弟二人
kyōdai futari
The phrase for "two brothers" in Japanese is 兄弟二人 (kyōdai futari).
The phrase 兄弟二人 is used to describe the composition of a family or a group of two siblings. While the term can refer specifically to two male brothers, it is commonly used in Japanese to refer to two siblings of any gender.
What does it mean word for word?
The first part, 兄弟, literally means "brothers" or "siblings".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 兄弟二人, the number of people (二人) follows the noun (兄弟).
How do you pronounce it?
kyōdai futari
Did you know?
- The kanji for 'brother' in 兄弟 (kyōdai) consists of 'older brother' and 'younger brother' placed side by side, creating a single concept of siblings.
- When describing their own siblings to others, Japanese speakers use 兄弟 but will use the more formal ご兄弟 'go-kyōdai' when asking about someone else's siblings.
- The term 兄弟 (kyōdai) can be used metaphorically to refer to close male friends or 'brothers in arms', even if there is no biological connection between them.
Examples in context
- 彼らは二人の兄弟です。They are two brothers.
- 来週、二人の兄弟が遊びに来ます。Two brothers will come to play next week.
- 彼らは一卵性の双子の兄弟です。They are identical twin brothers.
- 兄弟二人だと、賑やかですね。kyōdai futari da to, nigiyaka desu ne.With two brothers, it must be lively.
- 彼は兄弟二人です。kare wa kyōdai futari desu.He is one of two brothers.
- 兄弟二人の仲はとても良いです。kyōdai futari no naka wa totemo yoi desu.The two brothers get along very well.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about Yota's family.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは兄弟がいますか？Youta-san wa kyoudai ga imasu ka?Yota, do you have any siblings?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、兄弟二人です。Hai, kyoudai futari desu.Yes, there are two of us brothers.
- 美咲 Misakiそうなんですね。Sou nan desu ne.I see.
- 陽太 Yota兄が一人います。Ani ga hitori imasu.I have one older brother.
