Translation and Meaning of: 二人 - ninin

If you are studying Japanese or simply have curiosity about the language, you may have come across the word 二人 (ににん, ninin). It is common in everyday life and appears in various contexts, from informal conversations to cultural expressions. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and use of this word, as well as tips for memorizing it and understanding its role in Japanese communication.

二人 is one of those words that, although simple, carries interesting nuances. Its literal meaning is "two people," but it goes beyond that in certain situations. Let's see how it is used in everyday life, its correct pronunciation, and even some curiosities that can help in learning.

Meaning and use of 二人 (ににん)

The word 二人 is composed of the kanji 二 (ni, "two") and 人 (hito, "person"). Together, they form the term that literally means "two people." It is used to refer to a pair, whether in romantic, friendship, or even professional contexts. For example, a couple can be called 二人, just like two colleagues working together.

Unlike Portuguese, where we often use "we" or "us" generically, in Japanese 二人 is more specific. It indicates exactly two people involved in the action. This makes it a very direct and objective word, avoiding ambiguities in sentences like "let's go out" – if it's 二人で行きましょう (ninin de ikimashou), it's clear that it's two people.

Origin and writing of 二人

The kanji 二 is one of the first that students learn, precisely because it is simple and common. It represents the number two and appears in several other words, such as 二月 (nigatsu, "February"). On the other hand, 人 is a radical frequently used in terms related to people, such as 人間 (ningen, "human being"). The combination of these two kanjis is intuitive, making memorization easier.

It is worth noting that, although the most common reading is ににん (ninin), in some cases it may appear as ふたり (futari), especially in more informal or colloquial contexts. This variation does not change the meaning, but it can influence the tone of the sentence. For example, ふたりで映画を見た (futari de eiga o mita) sounds more casual than the version with ににん.

Trivia and tips for memorization

An effective way to remember 二人 is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, think of a couple or two friends doing something together. This mental image helps to solidify not only the meaning but also the practical use of the word. Another tip is to create flashcards with sentences like 二人で食事する (ninin de shokuji suru, "dining together").

Culturally, 二人 appears in various expressions and even in song and movie titles. A famous example is the song "Futari no Uta" (二人の詩), which talks about the relationship between two people. This type of reference can be useful to understand how the word is perceived in Japan, showing that it goes beyond the literal meaning and carries a certain affection.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• ふたり (futari) - two people; a pair
• ににん (ninins) - two people (counting form)
• じにん (jinin) - four people; number 4 of people

二人

Romaji: ninin
Kana: ににん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: two people; a couple; a couple.

Meaning in English: two persons;two people;pair;couple

Definition: Two people.

Example Sentences - (二人) ninin

See below some example sentences:

二人の心は結び付く。

Futari no kokoro wa musubi tsuku

The hearts of the two unite.

The two hearts are tied together.

• 二人 - "Duas pessoas" in Japanese
• の - Possessive particle in Japanese
• 心 - "coração" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 結び付く - "Unite" or "connect" in Japanese

二人で行きましょう。

Futari de ikimashou

Let's go together, the two of us.

Let's go together.

• 二人 (futari) - It means "two people."
• で (de) - it is a particle that indicates the medium or the way something is done
• 行きましょう (ikimashou) - It is a verb that means "let's go" or "let's do"