二人
futari[ɸɯ̟ta̠ɾʲi]
The Japanese phrase for 'two person' is 二人 (futari).
二人 is used to refer to a group consisting of two people.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate the number of people performing an action, you can add the particle で to the word to create 二人で, which means 'by two people' or 'as a pair'.
How do you pronounce it?
futari
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the phrase 二人 is frequently used as a euphemism for a romantic couple, implying a level of intimacy and exclusivity that 'two people' does not convey in English.
- In formal settings like legal documents or police reports, you might see 二人 read as ni-nin instead of the common futari. Using the more familiar futari in these professional contexts can actually sound too casual or overly personal.
- In Japanese, the count for people changes fundamentally after two. While futari is a unique, irregular word, counting three people uses a different system starting with san-nin, making two the only 'odd one out' in the sequence.
Examples in context
- 明日の会議には二人参加します。Two people will participate in tomorrow's meeting.
- ご予約の確認ですが、二名様でしょうか？Regarding your reservation, is it for two people?
- 今週のパーティーには、ふたりで行くよ！We'll go together to this week's party!
- 二人で遊びに行きましょう。futari de asobi ni ikimashou.Let's go out and play together, just the two of us.
- あの二人は何をしているんですか。ano futari wa nani o shite iru n desu ka.What are those two people doing?
- 今日は二人での食事です。kyou wa futari de no shokuji desu.Today is a meal for two people.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are deciding on a dinner reservation.
- 美咲 Misaki予約は二人でいいですか？yoyaku wa futari de ii desu ka?Is a reservation for two people okay?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、二人で十分です。hai, futari de juubun desu.Yes, two people is enough.
- 美咲 Misakiでは、そう伝えますね。de wa, sou tsutaemasu ne.Then, I will tell them that.
- 陽太 Yotaお願いします、美咲さん。onegaishimasu, Misaki-san.Please do, Misaki.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 二人, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
