双子

ふたご

twins, a twin

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"双子" (ふたご) means "twins" or "a twin" in Japanese. It refers to two children born at the same birth. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation when talking about siblings born together.

Common Collocations

  • 双子の兄弟 (ふたごのきょうだい): twin brothers
  • 双子の姉妹 (ふたごのしまい): twin sisters
  • 双子の赤ちゃん (ふたごのあかちゃん): twin babies

Usage Notes

When using "双子," you can specify the gender by adding "兄弟" (brothers) or "姉妹" (sisters). It is also common to talk about "双子の片方" (one of the twins) to distinguish between the two. This word is neutral in formality and can be used in both casual and formal contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "双子" with "二人" (two people). Remember, "双子" specifically means twins, not just any two people. Also, "双子" is a noun and cannot be used as an adjective directly.

Example Sentences

かれらはふたごのきょうだいです。

They are twin brothers.

ふたごのあかちゃんがうまれました。

Twin babies were born.

ふたごのかたほうだけがサッカーをしています。

Only one of the twins plays soccer.