並み

nami

JLPT N1 #57 of 243 in N1

Average; equal to; on par with ~

Expresses that something is at the average level or equal to a standard or another entity.

Test yourself

How to form it

Attach to a noun directly, or to the stem of a な-adjective or verb (the form that precedes だ/です in a relative clause, e.g., 普通の, 予想した). For verbs, use the plain past or non-past attributive form, but most commonly it attaches to nouns.

What it means

Note that 並み is somewhat formal and is often used in written or professional contexts, but it can appear in spoken Japanese as well, especially in set phrases like 人並み (ordinary, like everyone else). It is not as casual as くらい or ほど, but it is not stiff either.

Example sentences

彼女の料理はプロ並みだ。

Kanojo no ryōri wa puro-nami da.

Her cooking is on par with a professional's.

今年の夏は平年並みの暑さだ。

Kotoshi no natsu wa heinen-nami no atsusa da.

This summer's heat is about average for this time of year.

彼は人並みの幸せを望んでいる。

Kare wa hitonami no shiawase o nozonde iru.

He wants ordinary happiness, like everyone else.

Don’t confuse it with

くらい/ほど

くらい/ほど express degree or extent (e.g., 彼くらいの実力 = skill to the extent of him), while 並み emphasizes equality to a standard or category, not just approximation.

Check you’ve got it

Write your own sentence

The fastest way to own a grammar point is to use it once, about your own life. Your sentence is saved to your free account with this point.

話

When to use it

Neutral to slightly formal; common in written Japanese and professional speech, but acceptable in everyday conversation when used in standard phrases like 人並み or 並み外れて.

Next in the N1 path

58

ばこそonly because ~

59

ものとしてto assume; to suppose ~

60

かたわらwhile; at the same time; in addition

61

およそabout; roughly; generally; completely ~

See the whole Grammar Path →

Questions

What does 並み mean?

Average; equal to; on par with ~. Expresses that something is at the average level or equal to a standard or another entity.

How do you form 並み?

Attach to a noun directly, or to the stem of a な-adjective or verb (the form that precedes だ/です in a relative clause, e.g., 普通の, 予想した). For verbs, use the plain past or non-past attributive form, but most commonly it attaches to nouns.

Example of 並み in a sentence

彼女の料理はプロ並みだ。 — Her cooking is on par with a professional's.

くらい/ほど — what is the difference?

くらい/ほど express degree or extent (e.g., 彼くらいの実力 = skill to the extent of him), while 並み emphasizes equality to a standard or category, not just approximation.

What JLPT level is 並み?

JLPT N1 (advanced), number 57 of 243 in Nihoner's learning order for N1.