二つ
futatsu[ɸɯ̟ta̠t͡sɨ]
The Japanese phrase for "two of something" is 二つ (futatsu).
二つ is used to express a quantity of two general objects. In a restaurant or a shop, you can use 二つ to order two of an item if you are unsure of the specific counter required for that particular object.
How does it change in a sentence?
二つ is a native Japanese counter used for general objects that do not have a more specific counter assigned to them.
How do you pronounce it?
futatsu
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 二つ when referring to people or animals.
Did you know?
- While 二つ counts general objects, Japanese has a specialized counter 足 (soku) for pairs of shoes or socks, because these items are viewed as a single set rather than two individual things.
- The word 二つ is derived from the native Japanese number system, which differs entirely from the Sino-Japanese numbers like 二 (ni) used for mathematics.
- If you are counting two slices of bread or two pieces of paper, you must switch from 二つ (futatsu) to the counter 枚 (mai), which is used for flat, thin objects.
Examples in context
- りんごを二つ買いました。ringo o futatsu kaimashita.I bought two apples.
- 二つください。futatsu kudasai.Please give me two.
- 荷物は二つあります。nimotsu wa futatsu arimasu.There are two pieces of luggage.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are at a bakery ordering bread.
- 美咲 Misakiパンを二つ選んでもいいですか？pan o futatsu erande mo ii desu ka?Can I choose two pieces of bread?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、もちろんです。hai, mochiron desu.Yes, of course.
- 美咲 Misakiこのメロンパンを二つお願いします。kono meronpan o futatsu onegaishimasu.Two of these melon breads, please.
- 陽太 Yotaかしこまりました。kashikomarimashita.Certainly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 二つ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
