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.
I want both.
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.
Both are correct.
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.
Used specifically for 'both' when referring to two people. The とも (tomo) suffix means 'both' or 'all'.
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.
I can speak both Japanese and English.
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'.
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.
Please give me both.
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'.
I don't like either. (I like neither.)
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.
Both of them are my friends.
Both of those books are interesting.
I like both.
The opinions of both parties agreed.
Can also be used for people, especially when the focus is on 'either one' rather than the pair. It is polite and neutral.
Are both of you well?
Both are excellent students.
I like both coffee and tea.
This explicitly says 'both A and B' using 両方. It is slightly more emphatic than AもBも.
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.
Please submit both the documents and the photo.
Both are not wrong. (Neither is wrong.)
Both are possible.
Formal equivalent of どちらも, meaning 'both' or 'either'. Common in written Japanese.
Both are correct.
二人ともが同意した。
Both of them agreed.
Japanese often drops subjects and objects when they are understood. If 'both' is obvious, you can simply use the verb without an explicit subject.
Both came. (literally: (The two) came.)
Neither is correct.
Emphasizes that both are not the case. Slightly more emphatic than どちらも〜ない.
I don't need either. (I need neither.)
both people
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.
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.
I went to both Tokyo and Osaka.
I like both cats and dogs.
You can have both.
Neither of them is here.