二人買う
two people buy
Use this phrase to describe any shopping or buying activity involving exactly two people.
En 15 secondes
- Describes two people making a purchase together or separately.
- Usually paired with particles like 'ga' or 'de' for clarity.
- Foundational A1 grammar for daily shopping and social outings.
Signification
This phrase describes the simple act of two people making a purchase. It can mean they are buying something together as a team or both buying the same thing individually.
Exemples clés
3 sur 7Buying snacks with a friend
二人でパンを買う。
The two of us buy bread.
Observing two strangers at a ticket machine
二人がチケットを買う。
Two people are buying tickets.
A shop clerk confirming a purchase for a couple
お二人で買われますか？
Will you two be buying this together?
Contexte culturel
In Japan, group harmony is key, and 'futari' (two people) is the smallest unit of a group. This phrase often implies 'wari-kan' (splitting the bill), which is the standard way friends and colleagues handle shared costs to maintain social balance.
The Magic of 'De'
Always remember that 'futari DE kau' sounds much more natural when you are doing the buying together. It emphasizes the partnership!
Counting People
In Japan, the counter for people changes. One is 'hitori', two is 'futari', but three is 'san-nin'. Don't accidentally say 'ni-nin'!
En 15 secondes
- Describes two people making a purchase together or separately.
- Usually paired with particles like 'ga' or 'de' for clarity.
- Foundational A1 grammar for daily shopping and social outings.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a convenience store. You and your best friend both grab a soda. That is 二人買う. It is a basic building block of Japanese. It combines the number of people with an action. It is simple, direct, and very common. You are just stating a fact about a transaction. It does not get much easier than this.
How To Use It
In real life, you usually need a tiny bridge. This bridge is called a particle. If you use 二人が買う, the focus is on the people. If you use 二人で買う, it means they are buying it together. Think of de as 'by means of' or 'as a pair'. You will mostly use the de version. It sounds more natural in daily conversation. Just put the people first, add the particle, and finish with the verb. You can use it for small things like candy. You can also use it for big things like cars.
When To Use It
Use this when you are shopping with a friend. It is perfect for splitting a lunch bill. You might use it when buying movie tickets. It is great for narrating what is happening. 'Look, those two are buying that giant plushie!' It works well in texts when planning a trip. 'Shall we two buy the train tickets?' It is a workhorse phrase for any duo-shopping scenario. It feels friendly and cooperative.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you are buying a person. That sounds like a plot for a movie. Also, avoid it in very high-end business deals. In those cases, use the word 購入 (kounyuu). 買う is a bit too casual for a boardroom. Do not use it if the number of people is unclear. If it is a group, use みんな (minna) instead. If you are alone, obviously, do not use 二人 (futari). It sounds like you have an imaginary friend.
Cultural Background
Japan has a strong culture of doing things in pairs. You will see 'pair sets' at many restaurants. There are even 'pair looks' where couples wear matching clothes. Buying things together often leads to 割り勘 (wari-kan). This means splitting the bill exactly. It is a sign of fairness and close friendship. This phrase captures that spirit of shared experience. It is about more than just spending money. It is about doing something together.
Common Variations
二人が買います is the polite version. Use this with teachers or bosses. 二人で買った is the past tense. Use this to talk about yesterday's shopping spree. 二人で買おう means 'Let's buy it together.' This is a great way to suggest a joint purchase. You might also hear 二名様 (ni-mei-sama) in shops. This is the super-polite way staff refer to 'two people.'
Notes d'usage
This is a neutral, everyday expression. While grammatically correct, it almost always requires a particle like 'ga' or 'de' to function in a full sentence.
The Magic of 'De'
Always remember that 'futari DE kau' sounds much more natural when you are doing the buying together. It emphasizes the partnership!
Counting People
In Japan, the counter for people changes. One is 'hitori', two is 'futari', but three is 'san-nin'. Don't accidentally say 'ni-nin'!
The 'Wari-kan' Secret
If you say 'futari de kau', your Japanese friend might assume you want to split the bill. Be ready to handle the change!
Exemples
7二人でパンを買う。
The two of us buy bread.
Using 'de' implies they are doing the action together.
二人がチケットを買う。
Two people are buying tickets.
Using 'ga' focuses on the two people as the subject.
お二人で買われますか？
Will you two be buying this together?
A very polite honorific form used by staff.
これ、二人で買っちゃう？
Should we two just buy this?
The 'chau' ending adds a casual, slightly impulsive vibe.
二人で変な帽子を買う。
The two of us buy a weird hat.
Shows a shared, humorous activity.
二人で母のプレゼントを買う。
The two of us buy a gift for our mother.
Implies cooperation for a sentimental goal.
二つの部署で買います。
Two departments will buy it.
While 'futari' is for people, the structure is similar for groups.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct particle to say 'Buying together as a pair'.
二人___買う。
The particle 'de' indicates the manner or the group size performing the action.
Make the phrase polite for a formal situation.
二人が___。
Adding '-masu' to the verb 'kau' makes the sentence polite and neutral.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels of 'Two People Buy'
Friends planning a purchase.
二人で買おう！
Stating a fact or narrating.
二人が買います。
Staff or business context.
二名様で購入されます。
Where You'll Use 'Futari Kau'
Movie Theater
Buying tickets as a pair.
Convenience Store
Grabbing snacks with a buddy.
Gift Shop
Splitting a souvenir cost.
Online Shopping
Deciding on a shared item.
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt can! It either means they are buying one item together or each buying their own. Context usually makes it clear.
Mostly, yes. In very formal shops, you might hear 二名 (ni-mei), but 二人 (futari) is the standard for everyone else.
Yes, but for big purchases, Japanese people often use the more formal verb 購入する (kounyuu suru) instead of 買う (kau).
Use で (de) if you are buying as a pair. Use が (ga) if you are just pointing out that two people are the ones buying.
It is better to use the polite form 買います (kaimasu) to avoid sounding too blunt.
You would say 二人で買いましょう (futari de kaimashou) or the casual 二人で買おう (futari de kaou).
Yes! You can use 買う for tickets or vouchers for services, just like in English.
The phrase 二人で三つ買う (futari de mittsu kau) means 'two people buy three items.'
No, it is very standard, basic Japanese. It is safe to use anywhere.
Technically yes, but Japanese people often use 飼う (kau - same sound, different kanji) for 'owning/keeping' a pet.
Saying 二人がで買う. You only need one particle between 'futari' and 'kau' usually!
Use the negative past tense: 二人は買いませんでした (futari wa kaimasen deshita).
Expressions liées
二人で分ける
To split between two people.
割り勘にする
To split the bill.
お揃いで買う
To buy matching items.
一緒に買う
To buy together.
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