双子

• Reading: ふたご
• Romaji: futago
• Kanji breakdown: 双 (sou/futa) — pair, both; 子 (shi/ko) — child
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.ta.ɡo/

Meaning

Twins; a twin. Two children born from the same pregnancy.

A noun for twin siblings. Specific types: 一卵性双生児 (ichiransei souseiji, identical twins) and 二卵性双生児 (niransei souseiji, fraternal twins), though 双子 is the common everyday word. The zodiac sign Gemini is 双子座 (futagoza). Can refer to both the pair and one of the twins.

Examples

1. 私のクラスに双子の姉妹がいる。 There are twin sisters in my class.
2. 双子だけど性格は全然違うらしい。 They're twins, but apparently their personalities are completely different.
3. 友達が双子を出産したとニュースを聞いた。 I heard the news that my friend gave birth to twins.

Usage Guide

Context: family, birth, astrology

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 双 (sou/futa, pair/both) and 子 (ko/go, child). Literally 'paired children' — children born as a pair.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal