The Meaning of narabini [並びに] In Japanese

並びに
ならびに
Romaji: narabini N3

What does 並びに mean?

Translation and Meaning

and, as well as, together with

Definition

What does 並びに mean? It is a formal conjunction used to connect items in a sentence, signaling addition or inclusion, typically in written Japanese; it marks that what follows is linked to what precedes in a formal, cumulative sense, common in official documents and scholarly prose.

Type

conjunction (接続詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Formal conjunction for listing items in written Japanese, equivalent to ‘and’ in formal contexts.
  • Indicates addition, often used to link a second item that complements the first in administrative, legal, or academic prose.
  • Not used in casual speech; conveys a bureaucratic or elevated tone.

Etymology

etymology Narabi is the noun form derived from the verb narabu, with the suffix び turning it into a noun meaning the act of lining up; に is a postpositional particle that attaches to the noun to form a formal connective expression.

Composition

  • 並: to line up, arrange; び: nominalizer turning the action into a noun (narabi)
  • に: postpositional particle that links the noun to the following element, producing a conjunctive meaning

Usage

Used primarily in formal writing to connect a preceding item with a following item, typically joining nouns or noun phrases; common in contracts, notices, academic prose, and official communications; not suitable for casual speech, where other connectors like そして or と are preferred.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a formal notice where items are neatly lined up, then a small ‘ni’ bridge connects to the next item—this cues the sense of a formal connector that adds information.

Variations

  • および (oyobi) — formal synonym for ‘and’
  • 及び (oyobi) — kanji variant common in legal or official texts
  • さらに (sarani) — adverbial connector meaning ‘furthermore’ used to extend lists in formal style

Example Phrases

  • 母と 並びに 私も 買い物へ 出かけました。
    Haha to narabi ni watashi mo kaimono e dekakemashita.
    My mother and I also went shopping.
    Lista:
    • 母と (Haha to) – mother and
    • 並びに (narabi ni) – and
    • 私も (watashi mo) – I also
    • 買い物へ (kaimono e) – to shopping
    • 出かけました (dekakemashita) – went
    「並びに」 is a formal connector meaning ‘and; as well as’, here linking 母と and 私も to show both did the action.
並びに