Meaning and Usage
"二人" (ふたり) specifically means "two people" and is used to refer to exactly two individuals. It is a common counter word for people when counting two, distinct from the general counter "人" (にん).
Common Contexts
You will often see "二人" used when talking about pairs in daily life, such as couples, friends, or any two people doing something together. It can describe the number of people involved or emphasize the pair as a unit.
Collocations and Patterns
- 二人で (ふたりで): "the two of us" or "together as two people"; used to express doing something jointly.
- 二人用 (ふたりよう): "for two people"; often used for rooms, seats, or items designed for two.
- 二人とも (ふたりとも): "both of them"; used to refer to two people collectively.
Register and Nuance
"二人" is neutral and commonly used in both casual and polite contexts. It is more natural than using "二人の人" which is redundant.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "二人" with "二人の人" or use "二人" when counting more than two people. Remember, "二人" is only for exactly two individuals.