Two in Japanese
"two" in Japanese, with the kanji that carry the meaning.
二
ni
3 Japanese kanji carry the meaning "two". The most common choice is shown first.
Which one to use
二 is two. 弐 is the formal form used on cheques, where 二 could be altered by adding a stroke. 両 is both of a pair, and it was the old gold currency unit.
Top pick
two, two radical (no. 7)
Reading: ni
2 strokes
Where it comes from
Two horizontal strokes representing 'two'.
What it carries
Pair, yin-yang, balance. Represents concept of two making a set.
Related kanji for "two"
two
ni
Composed of two and stake. Two stake.
two
ryou · nature
A pictograph of both pans of a scale. Means both sides, two things, indicating balance and equilibrium. Simplified form of 兩.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Japanese kanji for two?
The most common kanji for "two" is 二, read as ni. It means two, two radical (no. 7). Related kanji: 弐 (two), 両 (two).
How many strokes does 二 have?
二 has 2 strokes.