How to use "20" in a sentence
Here are 5 practical examples in polite everyday Japanese:
Other ways of saying "20" in Japanese
Japanese has multiple counting systems, so "20" changes depending on what you're counting:
- nijuu (二十) — Standard number 20 — 2 x 10.
- hatachi (二十歳) — Age 20 — traditional coming-of-age in Japan (now 18, but 20 remains culturally significant).
- nijuu-mai (二十枚) — Counter for flat objects — 20 sheets.
- nijuu-hon (二十本) — Counter for long objects — 20 bottles.
- nijuu-sai (二十歳) — Age 20 — the age of full legal adulthood in Japan until 2022.
Learn how to say 19 in Japanese. Learn how to say 21 in Japanese. Learn how to say 2 in Japanese.
Fun fact about "20" in Japanese culture
In Japan, 20 was the traditional age of adulthood for over a century until it was lowered to 18 in 2022. The 'seijin-shiki' (成人式) — Coming of Age Ceremony — is still held on the second Monday of January for all 20-year-olds who turned 20 the previous year. Participants wear formal kimono or suits, receive congratulatory speeches from government officials, and are officially recognized as adults. The ceremony is a massive cultural event, with cities competing to host the most spectacular celebrations. Coming of Age Day remains one of Japan's most visually stunning traditions.
The number 20 is significant in Japanese business culture. The 'nijuu-nen' (二十年) or 20-year milestone is considered the minimum time required to truly master a craft. This philosophy, rooted in traditional apprenticeship systems, is why Japanese companies like Toyota and Honda emphasize long-term employment and gradual skill development. A 20-year veteran in any Japanese field is treated with deep respect, regardless of their specific role.
In Japanese cinema, the Tokyo International Film Festival celebrated its 20th edition in 2007 with a retrospective of Japanese animation. The number 20 in this context represents maturity and establishment — the festival had grown from a niche event to one of Asia's premier film showcases. Japanese cultural institutions often use their 20th anniversary as a benchmark for having achieved permanent status in the national consciousness.