及び

Japanese Grammar Advanced Japanese ★★★ 3/5 formal およびoyobi
Reading および
Romaji oyobi
Formation Noun A 及び Noun B
Kanji breakdown 及 (およ・ぶ) = to reach, to extend to

Meaning

A particle meaning 'and,' used to connect two nouns or noun phrases in formal writing and speech. It indicates that both items are included and is standard in legal, academic, and official documents.

及び (および) is a formal conjunctive particle that connects nouns, functioning like a formal 'and.' It is more formal than と but slightly less ceremonial than 並びに. In legislative and legal Japanese, 及び connects items at the same hierarchical level within a group, while 並びに connects groups at a higher level — though this technical distinction is mainly observed in statutory drafting. In general formal writing, 及び is used to clearly and precisely connect two or more items. It is common in contracts, academic papers, news reports, and business correspondence. In spoken language, it appears in formal announcements and presentations.

Examples

  1. 本サービスの利用規約及びプライバシーポリシーをご確認ください。 Please review the terms of service and privacy policy for this service.
  2. 研究の目的及び方法について概説する。 I will outline the purpose and methodology of the research.
  3. 申込書及び必要書類を期日までにご提出ください。 Please submit the application form and required documents by the deadline.

Usage Guide

Context: written, legal, academic

Tone: official

Do Say

  • 出席者の氏名及び所属を名簿に記載してください。
  • 試験範囲は第一章及び第二章とする。
  • 契約の変更及び解除には双方の合意が必要です。

Don't Say

  • コーヒー及び砂糖をください。(Using 及び for a casual request at a cafe — too formal) → コーヒーと砂糖をください。
  • 田中さん及び鈴木さんと昼ごはんを食べた。(Using 及び in everyday conversation — sounds like an official report) → 田中さんと鈴木さんと昼ごはんを食べた。

Origin & History

及び derives from the verb 及ぶ (およぶ), meaning 'to reach' or 'to extend to.' The conjunctive meaning developed from the idea of one item's scope reaching and including another, evolving into a formal copulative conjunction.

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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