two

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 二 represents two with two horizontal strokes; its main on reading is に.
• Basic usage: 二つ counts two objects or proposals, while 二人 counts two people.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Readings for different things counted
  • 二つ is ふたつ, 二人 is ふたり, and 二日 is ふつか.
  • The on reading に is not used unchanged in every expression.
• Date and duration
  • 八月二日 means August second; 二日滞在する means to stay for two days.
  • Both read 二日 as ふつか, with context distinguishing the date from the duration.
• Two people acting together
  • 二人で運ぶ means that two people carry something together.
  • Here で relates to the number of people taking part, not to carrying something twice.