#>.<% >?.>%
WRITE LESS, MEAN MORE
Two Talk is a simple plaintext shorthand that packs big ideas into tiny amounts of text. Nine basic symbols pair up into 81 core meanings, which stack together into custom compounds for super precise thoughts. Where normal writing takes a whole paragraph, Two Talk gets the point across in one short line.
The system excels where text density, parsing consistency, or input constraints matter. It transforms free-form status reports into structured, searchable log notation. For users on constrained keyboards or single-hand setups, it provides a compact input method that minimizes typing effort. In low-bandwidth or constrained technical environments, it reduces transmitted messages to a short string of human-readable symbols.
It’s lightweight, keyboard-friendly, and natively searchable: everything uses the exact same core setup - 9 main symbols, 81 core pairs, and 531,441 combinations - keeping text compact, clear, and easy to parse.
Two Talk turns 9 basic symbols into over 531K combinations - built for compact notes, structured status logs, low-bandwidth messages, and minimal-keystroke typing.
Each symbol stands for one basic category of meaning. These 9 categories are the building blocks of Two Talk - by pairing any two together and you get a predictable, consistent meaning.
The grid shows what every two-symbol combination means. Every ordered pair has one canonical meaning that never changes under compounding or translation. To read the grid: find the first symbol in the left column, and the second symbol along the top row.
Order: Write left to right: who → what →
when. Words modify each other following the compound rule: XX.YY = YY modifies XX. e.g.
@> >@ :# = You speak now, and #!.%! = sharp (%! modifies #!).
Sentences: Each line is its own sentence.
Negation: Add .<! after a
pair to negate it. e.g. >!.<! = no action
/ blocked. To negate a longer statement, break it into
spaced words and use <! as a standalone
word - e.g. @@ :> <! #! ^# @% = I will not
contact this group.
Questions: Start with >? to
ask a question. e.g. >? @% LG
@^.::
= Is the legal team still waiting?
Tense: :< = past,
:> = future, :# = now. For
something ongoing, compound :: - e.g.
>!.:: = process still running. Leave tense
out when it's obvious from context.
?: (If) -
>: (After) = if / then - e.g.
?: ^<.%# :# >: @% @^ ^^.<# = if it's
raining, we stay home. %% (Same) = and,
<> (Other) = or. ?% (Why)
= because. !< (Refuse) = but.
!@ (Want) = in order to. Same as
negation: as a standalone word, these act as
connectors; inside a compound, they keep their normal
meaning.
Literals: Use plain numbers for amounts
(5), dates as YYYY-MM-DD
(2025-04-14), times in 24hr
(1430), and use initials for names and entities
(JN, LG).
Escaping: ! # < > % ^ ? are special in shells, and . is a regex wildcard. Wrap Two Talk in single quotes in a terminal, use grep -F to search it, and write < and > as < and > in HTML.
Canon: The 81 primitives have one permanent canonical meaning that compound meanings or translations cannot redefine. The core symbols and default double compounds act as a global standard. Custom double and triple compounds serve as local shorthand.
Speech: Two Talk is designed to be written
however to aid learning each symbol has a spoken sound -
@ (An), # (Ob),
! (Ve), ? (Mo),
> (Ak), < (Li),
: (Ti), ^ (Sa),
% (Me).
Compounding follows one absolute rule: XX.YY = YY modifies XX for doubles and XX.YY.ZZ → ZZ modifies YY modifies XX for triples. Use dots (.) to join either two XX.YY or three XX.YY.ZZ pairs together to express 6,561 double pair meanings and 531,441 triple pair meanings.
@?
agent + inquiry
@?
agent + inquiry
^?
place + idea
XX.YY = YY modifies XX (^? modifies @?).
#!
object + action
#!
object + action
^?
place + idea
XX.YY = YY modifies XX (^? modifies #!).
#!
object + action
^?
place + idea
%!
measure + intensity
XX.YY.ZZ → ZZ modifies YY modifies XX (%! modifies ^? modifies #!).
Search the 81 core symbols and their common synonyms, or switch to double and triple compounds to search every combination in English or Two Talk. The 81 primitives are frozen and permanently fixed - compound interpretations or natural language translations will never redefine them. Standard double definitions provide a baseline vocabulary, while triples are unassigned by default for personal or domain shorthand. When you print the page, it will include your updated definitions.
| Symbol | Meaning | Category |
|---|
Quick shorthand for meetings, tasks, status updates, and personal observations.
!@.#% (need) @% (team) >!.#? (answer) ># (tasks).<: (before) @%.:@ (meeting).
Compact, standardized strings designed for consistent searching and software parsing.
#!.<% (battery) %< (low) :# (now).?#.<: (backup) !!.>: (finished) :# (now) %!.<! (no problems).
High-density human-readable messages across tiny bandwidth, low-power devices, or intermittent links.
!^.%! (hot) !^ (rise) !>.%! (fast) :# (now).>!.<! (deployment blocked) :: (ongoing).
A compact input method that minimizes typing effort on constrained keypads.
@@ (I) !#.#@ (eat) !@ (want/need).@@ (I) !#.%@ (help) :# (now).
Type English or Two Talk into the first box - the direction is auto-detected and the converted result appears in the second box. Unmatched words or symbols are skipped.
Four steps to learn Two Talk. Start with the symbols, then build up to writing full sentences.
Learn the 9 symbols. These are the
building blocks for everything else:
@ # ! ? > < : ^ %
Learn the 81 pairs. Every ordered pair has a permanent canonical meaning that never changes (e.g., >@ is always "Say", @> is always "You").
Compound with one absolute rule. XX.YY = YY modifies XX. For triples: XX.YY.ZZ → ZZ modifies YY modifies AXX.
Write sentences. One line per statement: who → what → when. Separate each word with a space.
These are the 25 most useful pairs optimized for notes, tasks, and status.
@@ Self
@# Is / Being
@% People
># Do / Action
>! Execution
>> Progression
#! Tool
#? What / Item
<! Not / Blocked
!! Done / Perfect
%! Bad / Crisis
!? Can / Able
!@ Motive / Intent
?? Wonder / Ask
?# Fact / Know
?! Knowledge
?^ Context
%^ All / Entire
!> Move / Speed
>@ Speech / Say
?: If
:: Duration
:< Past
:> Future
:# Now
These are 300 common everyday phrases and their Two Talk translations.
| English Phrase | Two Talk Shorthand |
|---|---|
| What do you hear? | #? @> <@ |
| Who is this? | @? @# ^# |
| We stay here now. | @% @^ ^@ :# |
| Do you speak English? | @> ?> ## |
| Where will you work? | @> ># ^? :> |
| I do not feel good. | @@ @! <! %@ |
| Is this far down? | ^# >> ^< |
| See you later. | ?@ @> :>.:> |
| What else will you make? | @> #> #? ?< :> |
| Who can stop this? | @? !? << ^# |
| I wonder why. | @@ ?? ?% |
| Is this true? | ^# ?! @# |
| What do you know? | @> ?# #? |
| I will ask you. | @@ >? @> :> |
| Stay safe. | @^ <^.%@ |
| Reduce workload. | #> ># %< |
| Why are you moving? | @> !> ?% |
| We go far. | @% !! >> |
| When will we hear back? | @% <@ :@ :> |
| Do you refuse? | @> !< |
| I live here. | @@ @: ^@ |
| Who was here? | @? ^@ :< |
| We rise up. | @% !^ ^! |
| Is this old? | ^# :^ |
| Stay near. | @^ ^: |
| What is this tool? | ^# #! #? |
| Do you feel okay? | @> @! %@ |
| Why speak now? | ?> ?% :# |
| We have work to do. | @% @< ># |
| I know this word. | @@ ?# ## ^# |
| You speak too long. | @> ?> :: |
| We move across. | @% !> ^% |
| Who will give this? | @? >! ^# :> |
| Do you want more? | @> !@ %> |
| I see you. | @@ ?@ @> |
| Maybe we should go. | @% !! :? |
| When do you work? | @> ># :@ |
| Where are you going? | @> !! ^? |
| Who can see this? | @? !? ?@ ^# |
| I have this. | @@ @< ^# |
| Who is here now? | @? ^@ :# |
| You can stay here. | @> !? @^ ^@ |
| We go down. | @% !! ^< |
| What do you want? | @> !@ #? |
| I hear you now. | @@ <@ @> :# |
| Is it near or far? | ^: >> <> |
| Speak to me. | ?> @@ |
| When was that? | :@ :< |
| We move up now. | @% !> ^! :# |
| Who has this tool? | @? @< #! |
| I do not know. | @@ ?# <! |
| Why stay here? | @^ ^@ ?% |
| Give this to you. | >! ^# @> |
| What is big? | #? >% @# |
| We work now. | @% ># :# |
| Who can hear me? | @? !? <@ @@ |
| Do not move. | !> <! |
| Do you have time? | @> @< :% |
| Look at this place. | ?@ ^^ ^# |
| I feel bad. | @@ @! %! |
| What is true? | #? ?! @# |
| We stop here. | @% << ^@ |
| Where are you now? | @> ^? :# |
| I will speak soon. | @@ ?> :! :> |
| Make it small. | #> %< |
| Who will go? | @? !! :> |
| I see someone. | @@ ?@ @#.#% |
| Is this good? | ^# %@ |
| We rise high. | @% !^ ^!.!% |
| Why do you ask? | @> >? ?% |
| Do not ask. | >? <! |
| Who works here? | @? ># ^@ |
| Give me time. | >! @@ :% |
| Where was I? | @@ ^? :< |
| You can make this. | @> !? #> ^# |
| We stay down. | @% @^ ^< |
| Who is next? | @? >: |
| What do you see? | @> ?@ #? |
| I refuse this. | @@ !< ^# |
| When will you stay? | @> @^ :@ :> |
| Turn around. | !> ^^.^% |
| Is this part small? | ^# #< %< |
| Who is inside? | @? <^ |
| I think so. | @@ ?^ |
| We work together. | @% ># %% |
| Why do you refuse? | @> !< ?% |
| Is it bad? | %! @# |
| Give more. | >! %> |
| What is near? | #? ^: @# |
| We go inside. | @% !! <^ |
| Who is that person? | @? @# |
| I have a question. | @@ @< >? |
| When was it created? | #> :@ :< |
| Stay on this side. | @^ ^> ^# |
| We have less. | @% @< %< |
| Who can do this? | @? !? !# ^# |
| I see the same. | @@ ?@ %% |
| Do you like this place? | @> <? ^^ ^# |
| Why is it dark? | %<.?@ ?% |
| We are done. | @% :: |
| I need help now. | @@ !@ #!.%@ :# |
| What is your name? | #? <# @> |
| Where is home? | ^^.<# ^? |
| I feel happy. | @@ @!.%@ |
| Are you hungry? | @> !#.#@ !@ |
| I want to eat. | @@ !#.#@ !@ |
| Let us drink. | @% !#.<^ !@ |
| I am tired. | @@ !#.<< !@ |
| Time to sleep. | :% !#.<< |
| Wake up. | @!.^! !> |
| Where is the bathroom? | ^^.^< ^? |
| How much does this cost? | ^# #!.%^ #? |
| I have money. | @@ @< #! %^ |
| Use this tool. | !#.#! ^# |
| Call me. | !#.>@ @@ |
| Send a message. | >! #?.>@ |
| I do not understand. | @@ ?# <! |
| Please speak slowly. | ?> !>.%< |
| Say it again. | >@ %% |
| I agree. | @@ ?!.%% |
| I disagree. | @@ ?!.<> |
| That is false. | ^# ?!.<! |
| Is everything good? | %^ %@ @# |
| No problem. | %!.<! |
| Welcome. | !>.^@ %@ |
| Good morning. | :%.^! %@ |
| Good night. | :%.!: %@ |
| See you tomorrow. | ?@ @> :>.:% |
| What time is it? | #? :% :# |
| It is late. | :% :>.:> |
| Hurry up. | !>.%! !> |
| Slow down. | !>.%< !> |
| Stop here. | << ^@ |
| Start now. | !!.^! :# |
| It is finished. | !!.>: |
| I am lost. | @@ ^^.<! |
| Which way? | ^? !> |
| Go straight ahead. | !! !>.?! |
| Turn side. | !> ^> |
| It is raining. | ^<.%# :# |
| It is cold. | #<.<^ :# |
| It is hot. | !^.%! :# |
| I am sick. | @@ #@.%! |
| Be careful. | !:.%! !# |
| It is dangerous. | ^# !:.%! |
| Is it safe? | ^# <^.%@ @# |
| I forgot. | @@ ?^.<! |
| I remember now. | @@ ?^.:< :# |
| Who is your friend? | @? @!.<? @> |
| We are family. | @% @<.%^ |
| I love you. | @@ @!.%@ @> |
| I miss you. | @@ @!.:< @> |
| Help me. | !#.%@ @@ |
| What is the problem? | #? %! @# |
| Where is the workplace? | >#.^^ ^? |
| I have a meeting. | @@ @< @%.:@ |
| Is it easy? | ^# >#.%@ @# |
| It is too difficult. | ^# >#.!: |
| Open the door. | !#.>^ |
| Close the door. | <<.<^ |
| Where is my phone? | #!.>@ <# @@ ^? |
| Read this book. | ?@ #!.#? |
| Where is the plant? | ##.@:: ^? |
| Get some water. | !#.<# ##.^< |
| Eat some food. | !#.#@ ##.!@ |
| I want bread. | @@ !@ ##.#> |
| Where is the animal? | ##.@: ^? |
| Look at the sun. | ?@ ^!.%@ |
| Look at the moon. | ?@ ^!.^: |
| Look at the sky. | ?@ ^^.^! |
| Look at the earth. | ?@ ^<.^^ |
| It is a star. | ^# ^!.%< |
| Where is the city? | ^^.%# ^? |
| Which country? | ^^.%> ^? |
| Drive a vehicle. | !! !>.#! |
| You walk slow. | @> !>.^< !>.%< |
| He runs fast. | @? !>.%! |
| I need rest. | @@ !@ <<.!# |
| Sit down. | <<.^< |
| Stand up. | !^.^@ |
| It is clean. | ^# >^.%@ |
| It is dirty. | ^# <^.!: |
| Is it sharp? | ^# #!.%! @# |
| It is soft. | ^# #<.%< |
| It is heavy. | ^# #<. %> |
| Is it cold outside? | ^^.>^ #<.<^ @# |
| We are together. | @% %%.<^ |
| Keep it restricted. | %:.%! |
| Is it enough? | ^# %:.%@ @# |
| There is none. | %:.<! |
| Only a few. | %<.#% |
| It is dark. | %<.?@ |
| It is urgent. | :!.:# |
| This is routine. | ^# :@.:: |
| It happens often. | :%.#% |
| Always do this. | :%.%^ !# ^# |
| Never do this. | :%.<! !# ^# |
| In the beginning. | :%.<: |
| At the end. | :%.>: |
| This is forever. | ^# ::.%^ |
| How are you? | @> @! #? |
| I am fine. | @@ @! %@ |
| Thank you. | %@ @> |
| See you soon. | ?@ @> :! |
| Take care. | @> <^.%@ |
| What happened? | #? !# :< |
| Where are we? | @% ^^ ^? |
| What is this? | ^# #? |
| Who is that? | @? ^?.>> |
| Why not? | ?% <! |
| I am ready. | @@ !!.^! |
| Are you ready? | @> !!.^! |
| Let us start. | @% !!.^! |
| Wait for me. | @^ @@ |
| Come here. | !>.^@ ^@ |
| Go away. | !! >> |
| Follow me. | !> @@ >: |
| Look at this. | ?@ ^# |
| Listen to me. | <@ @@ |
| Be quiet. | ?>.<! |
| I am busy. | @@ ># :: |
| I am free now. | @@ >#.<! |
| I am running late. | @@ :% :>.:> |
| On my way. | @@ !> ^^.>> |
| I have arrived. | @@ !>.^@ |
| Where are you going? | @> !! ^? |
| What are you doing? | @> !# #? |
| I am working. | @@ ># :# |
| I am sleeping. | @@ !#.<< :# |
| I am eating. | @@ !#.#@ :# |
| It is working. | ^# ># :# |
| It is broken. | ^# >#.%! |
| System down. | #!.^? ^< |
| Network error. | !>.^% %! |
| Process completed. | !!.>: :# |
| Action required. | !# !@ |
| Approval needed. | ?!.%% !@ |
| Access denied. | !>.<^ <! |
| Access granted. | !>.<^ !? |
| Data saved. | ?#.#% <# |
| Update available. | !#.<> !? |
| Battery critical. | #!.<% %! |
| Power on. | !^.>% :# |
| Power off. | #:.#^ :# |
| Check the status. | ?@ ?#.#% |
| Send the data. | >! ?#.#% |
| Receive the file. | !#.<# #! |
| File size large. | #!.#? >% |
| File size small. | #!.#? %< |
| Storage full. | <^.%^ :# |
| It is sunny. | ^!.%@ :# |
| It is cloudy. | ^^.^! %< |
| It is windy. | !>.^% :# |
| It is snowing. | ^<.<^ :# |
| Storm coming. | !>.%! :! |
| Temperature high. | !^.%! ^! |
| Temperature low. | #<.<^ ^< |
| Road blocked. | ^^.>> << |
| Road clear. | ^^.>> >^.%@ |
| Visibility low. | ?@ %< |
| I am thirsty. | @@ !#.<^ !@ |
| I am cold. | @@ #<.<^ @! |
| I am warm. | @@ !^.%! @! |
| I am in pain. | @@ #@.%! @! |
| Call a doctor. | !#.>@ #@.#@ |
| I need medicine. | @@ !@ #!.%@ |
| Where does it hurt? | #@.%! ^? |
| Stay quiet. | @^ ?>.<! |
| Do not touch. | #!.<! :# |
| Keep away. | @^ >> |
| Do you agree? | @> ?!.%% @# |
| What do you think? | @> ?^ #? |
| I think that is good. | @@ ?^ ^# %@ |
| I am not sure. | @@ ?# <! :? |
| Are you sure? | @> ?# ?! |
| That makes sense. | ^# ?^.%@ |
| That makes no sense. | ^# ?^.%! |
| Explain this. | ?> ?# ^# |
| Show me. | ?@ @@ |
| Tell me more. | >@ @@ %> |
| Who is in charge? | @? !: ^! |
| Who is responsible? | @? >#.!@ |
| This is a mistake. | ^# !#.!: |
| Fix this error. | #> %! %@ |
| Try again. | !# %% |
| One moment. | 1 :%:%< |
| How long will it take? | :: :% #? |
| Almost finished. | !!.>: :! |
| Just in time. | :% :# %@ |
| Out of time. | :% <! |
| Where is the exit? | >^.^^ ^? |
| Where is the entrance? | <^.^^ ^? |
| Is this seat open? | <<.^< <^.<! |
| Take a seat. | <<.^< |
| Please wait inside. | @^ <^ |
| All clear. | %^ >^.%@ |
| Need assistance immediately. | !#.%@ !@ :# |
| Everything is fine. | %^ %@ |
| Understood. | ?# !# |
| End of transmission. | :>.:> :%.>: |