並びに

Japanese Grammar Advanced Japanese ★★ 2/5 formal ならびにnarabini
Reading ならびに
Romaji narabini
Formation Noun A 並びに Noun B
Kanji breakdown 並 (なら・ぶ) = to line up, to stand alongside

Meaning

A conjunction meaning 'and' or 'as well as,' used to combine two nouns or noun phrases in formal contexts. It indicates that the connected items are of comparable importance or status.

ならびに is a formal conjunctive particle used to link nouns or noun phrases, functioning like a high-register 'and.' It is significantly more formal than と or や and is standard in legal texts, official announcements, ceremonies, and bureaucratic documents. In legislative drafting, ならびに connects larger groupings, while 及び connects items within those groupings — though in general formal usage, this hierarchical distinction is not always strictly observed. Unlike 及び, which is also formal, ならびに tends to appear when the items being connected are of parallel status or equal weight. It is rarely used in casual speech.

Examples

  1. 本規約は利用者並びに管理者の双方に適用される。 These terms and conditions apply to both users and administrators.
  2. 開会式には理事長並びに来賓の方々がご出席された。 The chairperson as well as distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony.
  3. 応募者の学歴並びに職歴を総合的に審査いたします。 We will comprehensively evaluate the applicant's educational background as well as work history.

Usage Guide

Context: written, legal, ceremonial

Tone: official

Do Say

  • 取締役並びに監査役の選任について議決を行います。
  • 受賞者並びにご家族の皆様を心よりお祝い申し上げます。
  • 本報告書は調査結果並びに今後の提言をまとめたものである。

Don't Say

  • パン並びに牛乳を買ってきて。(Using 並びに for a casual shopping request — far too formal) → パンと牛乳を買ってきて。
  • 友達並びに家族と遊んだ。(Using 並びに in everyday casual speech — sounds like a legal document) → 友達や家族と遊んだ。

Origin & History

ならびに is the conjunctive form of 並ぶ (to line up, to stand side by side). The original meaning of 'standing in a row together' evolved into a formal conjunction indicating items of equal standing connected together.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Related Phrases

また An adverb and conjunction meaning 'also,' 'again,' or 'moreover,' used to indicate repetition of an action or addition of a new but related point. It is one of the most versatile connectors in Japanese. さて An interjection or conjunction used to shift the topic of conversation or mark a transition to a new subject. It signals that the speaker is moving on from the current discussion to address something different or to begin the main point. ただ A conjunction meaning 'however' or 'but,' used to introduce a supplementary remark, reservation, or minor qualification to the preceding statement. It softens the contrast compared to しかし or だが. ちなみに A conjunction meaning 'by the way' or 'incidentally,' used to add supplementary or tangential information related to the current topic. It connects the preceding context with an additional piece of information the speaker considers relevant or interesting. 更に An adverb and conjunction meaning 'furthermore,' 'additionally,' or 'even more,' used to indicate that something is being added to or escalated beyond what was already mentioned. It can express both addition and intensification. あるいは A conjunction meaning 'or,' 'alternatively,' or 'possibly,' used to present alternatives or to suggest another possibility. It connects two or more options, choices, or hypotheses within a sentence or across sentences. もしくは A conjunction meaning 'or,' used to disjunctively connect two items, ideas, or conditions. It presents mutually exclusive alternatives in a formal or official context. もっとも A conjunction meaning 'although,' 'having said that,' or 'though,' used to add a comment that partially retracts, qualifies, or puts into perspective what the speaker has just said. It acknowledges the validity of the preceding statement while introducing a counterbalancing consideration.
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