二十歳
Meanings
1
20 years old
The age of twenty; culturally significant as the age of adulthood in Japan (coming-of-age).
He will turn 20 this year.
Once you turn 20, you can drink alcohol.
2
archaic
Only when written 二十 / 廿
Archaic reading for the number twenty; restricted to the kanji forms 二十 and 廿. In modern Japanese, にじゅう is used.
In classical texts, 二十 can be read as はたち.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が二十歳になるfor someone to turn twenty
My younger brother is turning twenty next month.
- 二十歳の誕生日を迎えるto celebrate one's 20th birthday
My friend celebrated her 20th birthday, and we all had a party for her.
- 二十歳未満under twenty years of age (used for age-restricted activities)
This alcohol cannot be sold to people under twenty.
- 二十歳を過ぎるto be past the age of twenty
I feel like my way of thinking changed a bit after I turned twenty.