二股

• Reading: ふたまた
• Romaji: futamata
• Kanji breakdown: 二 (two) + 股 (fork/branch) → two branches, i.e. pursuing two relationships simultaneously
• Pronunciation: /ɸu.ta.ma.ta/

Meaning

Two-timing — secretly dating or being involved with two people at the same time.

二股 specifically means being in romantic relationships with two people simultaneously, usually without either partner knowing. It's different from 浮気 (cheating) in that it implies maintaining two parallel relationships rather than a one-time affair. The phrase 二股をかける means 'to two-time someone.' It's always viewed negatively.

Examples

1. 二股かけてたのがバレて、両方にフラれた。 They got caught two-timing and got dumped by both people.
2. 二股する人の気持ちがまじで理解できない。 I seriously can't understand the mindset of someone who two-times.
3. あいつ、二股どころか三股してたらしいよ。 Apparently that person wasn't just two-timing — they were seeing three people at once.

Usage Guide

Context: friends, gossip, social media

Tone: accusatory, shocked

Do Say

• 二股かけてたとか最低すぎる。 (Two-timing someone is absolutely the worst.)
• 二股してる人って罪悪感ないのかな。 (Don't two-timers feel any guilt?)

Don't Say

• 冗談でも「二股しよう」と言うと人格を疑われる (Even jokingly saying 'let's two-time' will make people question your character)

Common Mistakes

• Confusing 二股 with polyamory — 二股 always implies deception and secrecy, not an open arrangement

Origin & History

From 二 (two) + 股 (crotch/fork). Literally 'two forks,' like a fork in the road — going down two paths simultaneously. An old Japanese expression for divided loyalty.

Cultural Context

Era: Long-established Japanese expression

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Always carries a strongly negative connotation.