並列

• Reading: へいれつ
• Romaji: heiretsu
• Kanji breakdown: 並 (hei/nami) — side by side, row; 列 (retsu) — row, rank, series
• Pronunciation: /he.i.ɾe.tsɯ/

Meaning

Juxtaposition; parallel arrangement; side by side. Describes elements placed or listed alongside one another, or circuits connected in parallel.

Used in both technical and general contexts. In electronics, 並列接続 (parallel connection) contrasts with 直列接続 (series connection). In grammar and rhetoric, refers to listing elements of equal rank side by side. The verb form 並列する means 'to arrange in parallel' or 'to list side by side.' Widely used in computing (並列処理, parallel processing).

Examples

1. この回路では抵抗器が並列に接続されている。 In this circuit, the resistors are connected in parallel.
2. 報告書では複数の要因が並列に列挙されていたが、重要度の差は示されていなかった。 The report listed multiple factors in parallel, but did not indicate differences in importance.
3. 並列処理によってコンピュータの演算速度が大幅に向上した。 Parallel processing has significantly improved the computational speed of computers.

Usage Guide

Context: technical, electronics, computing, academic writing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 並 (hei/nami, side by side) and 列 (retsu, row, rank, column). Together they describe the arrangement of things in a row side by side — a precise spatial metaphor extended to abstract listing and technical circuits.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated