Translation guide
The English word "both" refers to two people or things together. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the translation depends on the grammatical role and context. Common strategies include using 両方 (ryouhou) for "both (of two things)", どちらも (dochira mo) for "both" in the sense of "either one", and 二人とも (futari tomo) for "both people". The word "both" can also be implied through context or particles like も (mo).
The speaker wants to talk about two items, options, or entities as a pair.
This is the most direct and common translation for 'both' when referring to two concrete or abstract things. It can be used as a noun or adverbially.
両方欲しいです。
I want both.
その本は両方面白い。
Both of those books are interesting.
Literally 'either one also', this is used to say 'both' in the sense of 'either of the two'. It often implies that the statement applies equally to both options.
どちらも正しいです。
Both are correct.
どちらも好きです。
I like both.
A formal, written term meaning 'both parties' or 'both (of the two)'. Used in news, reports, or formal contexts.
The speaker wants to talk about two people together.
The speaker wants to explicitly mention two things that share a property or action.
The particle も (mo) means 'also'. Repeating it after each item means 'both A and B'. This is the most common pattern for listing two things.
日本語も英語も話せます。
I can speak both Japanese and English.
コーヒーも紅茶も好きです。
I like both coffee and tea.
The speaker wants to stress that the statement applies to two items, often in contrast to only one.
Used to emphasize that both options are valid, true, or included. Often used in negative sentences to mean 'neither'.
どちらも間違いではありません。
Both are not wrong. (Neither is wrong.)
どちらも可能です。
Both are possible.
The speaker uses 'both' as a pronoun to refer back to two previously mentioned entities.
In Japanese, pronouns are often omitted. To say 'both of them', use 両方 (for things) or 二人とも (for people) with the appropriate particle (が, を, に, etc.). Context usually makes the referent clear.
両方をください。
Please give me both.
二人ともが同意した。
Both of them agreed.
The speaker wants to say that a negative statement applies to two items.
The standard way to say 'neither' or 'not both'. どちらも with a negative verb means 'neither of the two'.
どちらも好きじゃない。
I don't like either. (I like neither.)
どちらも正しくない。
Neither is correct.
English 'both' does not have a one-to-one equivalent in Japanese. Translating it as 両方 every time can sound unnatural. Pay attention to whether you are talking about things or people, and whether you are listing items or referring back to them.
両方 emphasizes the pair as a set, while どちらも emphasizes that the statement applies to each one individually. In many cases they are interchangeable, but どちらも is more common in negative sentences.
両方買った。
I bought both (as a set).
二人とも私の友達です。
Both of them are my friends.
猫も犬も好きです。
I like both cats and dogs.
両方どうぞ。
You can have both.
どちらもここにいません。
Neither of them is here.
The opinions of both parties agreed.
Used specifically for 'both' when referring to two people. The とも (tomo) suffix means 'both' or 'all'.
Can also be used for people, especially when the focus is on 'either one' rather than the pair. It is polite and neutral.
お二人ともお元気ですか？
Are both of you well?
どちらも優秀な学生です。
Both are excellent students.
This explicitly says 'both A and B' using 両方. It is slightly more emphatic than AもBも.
犬と猫の両方を飼っています。
I have both a dog and a cat.
Formal/written conjunction meaning 'and' or 'as well as'. Often used in official documents to list two items.
書類および写真を提出してください。
Please submit both the documents and the photo.
Formal equivalent of どちらも, meaning 'both' or 'either'. Common in written Japanese.
いずれも正しいです。
Both are correct.
Japanese often drops subjects and objects when they are understood. If 'both' is obvious, you can simply use the verb without an explicit subject.
（二人は）来ました。
Both came. (literally: (The two) came.)
Emphasizes that both are not the case. Slightly more emphatic than どちらも〜ない.
両方とも要りません。
I don't need either. (I need neither.)
I bought both (each one).
The pattern AもBも is very versatile and natural. It can be used with nouns, verbs, adjectives, and even clauses. Remember that も replaces particles like が and を, but can follow other particles like に and で.
東京にも大阪にも行った。
I went to both Tokyo and Osaka.
どちらも買った。
I bought both (each one).
The pattern AもBも is very versatile and natural. It can be used with nouns, verbs, adjectives, and even clauses. Remember that も replaces particles like が and を, but can follow other particles like に and で.
東京にも大阪にも行った。
I went to both Tokyo and Osaka.