二

The kanji 二 is one of the fundamental number kanji in Japanese, representing “two.” Its simple design of two parallel horizontal strokes makes it one of the first kanji learned by students of Japanese.

Core Meanings and Usage

The character 二 has several key uses in Japanese:

• Basic number: “two” (二)
• In ordinals: “second” (第二)
• In counters and measurements
• As part of compound numbers

Common Expressions and Phrases

Time-Related Uses

二時 (にじ, niji) - 2 o’clock 二分 (にふん, nifun) - two minutes 二週間 (にしゅうかん, nishūkan) - two weeks 二年生 (にねんせい, ninensei) - second-year student

Counting and Daily Life

二回目 (にかいめ, nikaime) - second time 二番目 (にばんめ, nibanme) - second (in order) 二本 (にほん, nihon) - two long objects 二枚 (にまい, nimai) - two flat objects

Special Readings

Some compounds using 二 have unique readings that must be memorized:

1. Days of the month:

   • 二日 (ふつか, futsuka) - second day of the month/two days

2. Counting objects:

   • 二つ (ふたつ, futatsu) - two things
   • 二人 (ふたり, futari) - two people

Writing and Stroke Order

The stroke order for 二 is simple but important:

1. First horizontal stroke (top)
2. Second horizontal stroke (bottom)

Tips for writing:

• Keep strokes parallel
• Bottom stroke slightly longer than top
• Maintain even spacing between strokes

Kanji in Context

Here’s how 二 is commonly used in different situations:

1. Business Context:

   • 第二課 (だいにか, dainika) - section two
   • 二社 (にしゃ, nisha) - two companies

2. Everyday Life:

   • 二段ベッド (にだんベッド, nidanbeddo) - bunk bed
   • 二次会 (にじかい, nijikai) - after-party

3. Location and Direction:

   • 二階 (にかい, nikai) - second floor
   • 二方向 (にほうこう, nihōkō) - two directions