Translation guide
The number 20, expressed in Japanese as にじゅう (nijū) in most contexts. Age 20 is culturally significant as the age of adulthood in Japan.
Expressing the quantity or number twenty in counting, mathematics, or general use.
Standard way to say twenty. Used in counting, math, and most contexts.
二十個あります。
There are twenty of them.
二十ページを開いてください。
Please open to page twenty.
Arabic numerals are very common in horizontal writing, especially in technical or informal contexts.
20歳です。
I'm twenty years old.
Rare kanji for twenty, sometimes seen in traditional contexts or dates.
廿日
the twentieth day of the month
Referring to the age of twenty, especially in the context of adulthood and the Coming of Age ceremony.
Specifically means 'twenty years old'. The reading is irregular: はたち (hatachi), not にじゅっさい.
今年で二十歳になります。
I'll turn twenty this year.
二十歳の誕生日おめでとう。
Happy twentieth birthday.
The Coming of Age ceremony held for those turning 20. Not a direct translation of 'twenty', but closely related.
Referring to the 20th day of a month.
When saying 'twenty years old', use 二十歳 (はたち). The regular reading にじゅっさい is rarely used and may sound unnatural. For other ages, use ~歳 (さい), e.g., 二十一歳 (にじゅういっさい) for 21.
When counting objects, use the counter appropriate to the object. For example, 二十個 (にじゅうこ) for small items, 二十人 (にじゅうにん) for people, 二十冊 (にじゅうさつ) for books.
成人式に参加しました。
I attended the Coming of Age ceremony.