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道Nihongo Path
弐

弐·two (formal), second

On-yomi
に
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
弐にtwo (formal form used on cheques and contracts)
金弐万円きんにまんえんthe sum of 20,000 yen (as written on a receipt)
弐千円にせんえん2,000 yen (formal notation)
弐号にごうNo. 2, item two (in legal texts)

Example sentences

  1. 領収書に金弐万円と書いてあった。

    りょうしゅうしょにきんにまんえんとかいてあった。

    The receipt said 'the sum of 20,000 yen'.

  2. 契約書では二ではなく弐を使う。

    けいやくしょではにではなくにをつかう。

    In contracts you use 弐 rather than 二.

  3. 弐は数字を書き換えられないようにするための字です。

    にはすうじをかきかえられないようにするためのじです。

    弐 is a character used to keep figures from being altered.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Using 弐 in ordinary writing — everyday 'two' is 二; 弐 belongs on cheques, receipts and contracts
  • Writing 弐つ for ふたつ — the counter form is 二つ

Memory aid

Picture it

二 tucked under the 弋 stroke: the plain 二 is locked behind extra strokes so nobody can add a line and turn it into 三.

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 弐 mean?