Meaning
The kanji 並 (ならぶ, なみ, ヘイ) has several core meanings related to 'lining up,' 'arranging,' 'being equal or average,' and 'parallelism.' At its heart, it describes things or people placed side-by-side in a row, or being at a similar level or status. It captures the idea of being aligned or equivalent.
Historically, the character 並 likely originated as a pictograph showing two people or objects standing side-by-side. Its traditional form, 竝, clearly illustrates this with two 立 (たち - stand) characters. The modern, simplified 並 keeps this visual spirit, suggesting two elements placed next to each other to form a 'row' or 'array.' This visual link directly leads to meanings like 'to line up,' 'to arrange,' and 'to be parallel.' When something is described as '並' (nami), it often means 'average' or 'ordinary,' implying it fits into the usual 'line' or 'range' of things rather than standing out.
This kanji has 8 strokes and is taught in the 3rd grade of Japanese elementary schools, reflecting its common use and fundamental role in the language. You'll often see it in verbs, nouns, and adjectival forms, conveying ideas of order, equality, and commonality.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 並 is mainly ヘイ (hei). This reading usually appears in compound words, where it often suggests 'parallelism,' 'equality,' or 'simultaneous occurrence.' You'll rarely find stand-alone words using this reading.
- 並行 (heikou) — parallel, concurrent, simultaneous. This word describes two or more things moving or existing alongside each other without intersecting, or happening at the same time. For instance, two roads running parallel, or two tasks being carried out concurrently.
- 並列 (heiretsu) — parallel arrangement, side-by-side connection. This term is often used in technical contexts, such as electrical circuits or computing, to describe a parallel configuration (e.g., 並列回路 - parallel circuit).
- 並記 (heiki) — writing side by side, concurrent notation. This refers to writing two different things or languages next to each other, like a bilingual document.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings) are more diverse and frequently encountered in everyday Japanese, particularly in verbs and as a suffix or stand-alone noun.
ならぶ (narabu) — This intransitive verb means 'to line up,' 'to stand in a row,' or 'to be abreast.' It describes when things arrange themselves, like people waiting in a queue or books neatly placed on a shelf.
人が並ぶ (hito ga narabu) — people line up, people stand in a row.
本が並ぶ (hon ga narabu) — books are arranged, books are lined up.
ならべる (naraberu) — This transitive verb means 'to arrange,' 'to put in a row,' or 'to compare.' It describes the action of someone actively putting things in order or comparing them.
本を並べる (hon o naraberu) — to arrange books, to line up books.
品物を並べる (shinamono o naraberu) — to display goods, to lay out products.
なみ (nami) — This reading is used as a noun or a suffix, conveying 'ordinary,' 'average,' 'common,' or 'a row/level.' It can describe something that is typical or falling within an expected range.
人並み (hitonami) — average person, being like others, ordinary standard of living.
軒並み (nokinami) — row of houses, every house, everywhere.
中並み (nakanami) — average quality, middling.
Common Words & Compounds
並 is a versatile kanji, forming many useful words and compounds that reflect its core meanings of arrangement, equality, and commonality. Here are some key examples:
Verbs of Arrangement:
並ぶ (narabu) — To line up (intransitive). Often used when people or objects naturally form a queue or row.
並べる (naraberu) — To arrange, to line up (transitive). Used when someone deliberately puts things in order.
並び (narabi) — A row, a line (noun form of ならぶ). For example, 席の並び (seki no narabi) refers to the seating arrangement. It also appears in conjunctions like 並びに (narabini), meaning 'and,' 'as well as' in formal contexts.
Concepts of Parallelism and Concurrency:
並列 (heiretsu) — Parallel connection or arrangement. This term is vital in technical fields such as electronics.
並行 (heikou) — Parallel, concurrent, simultaneous. Often used to describe two processes or lines that do not meet.
並進 (heishin) — Advancing side by side, marching in parallel.
並記 (heiki) — Writing side by side, concurrent notation. For instance, a document written in two languages.
Words related to Average and Ordinary:
並 (nami) — Ordinary, average, common (as a noun or suffix). Can refer to average quality or standard.
人並み (hitonami) — Average person, being like others, average standard of living. It implies meeting societal expectations.
軒並み (nokinami) — Row of houses, every house, everywhere (literally 'eaves in a row'). Can also mean across the board, without exception.
中並み (nakanami) — Average quality, middling. Describing something that is neither particularly good nor bad.
並み外れた (namihazureta) — Extraordinary, exceptional, out of the ordinary. This adjective describes something that deviates from the average.
並大抵 (namitaitei) — Ordinary, common, nothing special. Often used in negative expressions to mean 'not at all ordinary,' implying something exceptional.
並みいる (namiiru) — All present, lined up (e.g., 大臣が並みいる - many ministers are present/lined up).
Example Sentences
駅前に人々が列に並んでいます。
Ekimae ni hitobito ga retsu ni narande imasu.
People are lined up in a queue in front of the station.
本棚に綺麗に本を並べた。
Hondana ni kirei ni hon o narabeta.
I neatly arranged the books on the bookshelf.
彼は能力が人並みではない。
Kare wa nōryoku ga hitonami dewa nai.
His abilities are not average (they are exceptional).
この二本の道は並行している。
Kono nihon no michi wa heikō shite iru.
These two roads are parallel.
商店街の軒並みが新しくなった。
Shōtengai no nokinami ga atarashiku natta.
All the shops in the shopping street have been renovated.
彼の歌声は並大抵のものではない。
Kare no utagoe wa namitaitei no mono dewa nai.
His singing voice is extraordinary.
製品を種類別に並べてください。
Seihin o shuruibetsu ni narabete kudasai.
Please arrange the products by type.
平日の午前中は比較的空いているので、並ばずに入場できます。
Heijitsu no gozenchū wa hikakuteki suite iru node, narabazu ni nyūjō dekimasu.
It's relatively empty on weekday mornings, so you can enter without lining up.
その画家は、才能が群を抜き、並ぶ者がないと評されている。
Sono gaka wa, sainō ga gun o nuki, narabu mono ga nai to hyō sarete iru.
That painter's talent stands out from the crowd, and he is acclaimed as having no equal.
Memory Tip
To remember 並, visualize its structure. It clearly looks like two identical units standing side by side. Imagine two '立' (tatsu, to stand) characters simplified and brought together. Picture two people standing perfectly in a line, or two objects neatly arranged next to each other. This image naturally evokes 'a row,' 'lining up,' 'arranging,' and even 'average' or 'parallel' standards. Focusing on the idea of symmetry and alignment will help you recall its meanings.