並

• Reading: なみ
• Romaji: nami
• Kanji breakdown: 並 (nami/hei/nara) — ordinary, average, line up
• Pronunciation: /na.mi/

Meaning

Medium; ordinary; average. A standard or unremarkable level of quality or size.

A no-adjective and noun indicating an average or standard level. Very commonly used when ordering food to specify a medium portion: 並盛り (namimori, regular serving). At gyuudon chains, sizes are typically 並・大盛り・特盛り (regular, large, extra-large). Also means 'ordinary' or 'common': 並の才能 (nami no sainou, average talent). As a suffix: 人並み (hitonami, like everyone else).

Examples

1. 牛丼の並を一つお願いします。 One regular-size beef bowl, please.
2. 並の努力では合格できない試験だ。 This is an exam you can't pass with just average effort.
3. 彼女の料理の腕は人並み以上だ。 Her cooking skills are above average.

Usage Guide

Context: restaurants, ordering food, everyday evaluation

Tone: casual

Origin & History

From the verb 並ぶ (narabu, to line up). The kanji 並 depicts two people standing side by side, representing uniformity and the ordinary state of being in line with others.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal