Japanese word

真っ二つ

Pronunciation

Romajimapputatsu

Meaning

  • nounin two

Example

木の枝を真っ二つに折りました。ki no eda o ma pputa tsu ni o ri ma shi ta

I broke the tree branch in two.

Illustration for 真っ二つ (in two)

More examples

厚い段ボールを真っ二つに切りました。atsu i dan bō ru o ma pputa tsu ni ki ri ma shi ta

I cut the thick cardboard in two.

Core concept

Focuses on a whole being split decisively so that two distinct pieces or sides remain.

Common phrases

  • 真っ二つに折るma pputa tsu ni o ru

    break in two

  • 真っ二つに割るma pputa tsu ni ware ru

    split in two

  • 真っ二つに切るma pputa tsu ni ki ru

    cut in two

Similar words

二分nifun: The division of one whole into two parts without necessarily making them equal.
二つ割りfutatsuwari: The splitting of one whole into two pieces, especially through cutting or breaking.
両断ryōdan: The complete separation of one whole into two pieces by cutting.

Definition in Japanese

一つのものが二つの部分に完全に分かれた状態。hito tsu no mo no ga futa tsu no bu bun ni kan zen ni wa ka re ta jō tai

Word origin

The native word 真っ二つ (mapputatsu) consists of 真っ (ma, "completely") and 二つ (futatsu, "two"), with 真っ adding emphasis to the division into two.

Usage tips

  • 真っ二つ (mapputatsu) does not necessarily mean two equal halves, because it emphasizes a clear division into two rather than equal size.

Other meanings

  • in halfnoun

Word lists with this word