# 並み: average; ordinary; same level as; equal to; on par with ~ > Learn how to use 並み, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning average, on par with, with formation, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-nami/ **並み(なみ)** means **average; ordinary; same level as; equal to; on par with ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something is at the same level, degree, or standard as something else—whether that be professional, average, or unexpectedly high. This grammar point often appears in news articles, reviews, daily conversation, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to compare quality, ability, or situation to a benchmark with concise nuance, **並み(なみ)** is a powerful suffix to learn because it adds immediate evaluation and natural precision to your Japanese.
並み(なみ) (nami) expresses that something is at the same level as a standard or another entity. It can be used to praise, criticise, or simply state equivalence—always tying the judgement to a shared reference point.
## What does 並み(なみ) mean? Use **並み(なみ)** when you want to express that something matches a particular level—whether it is on par with an expert, as ordinary as most people, or unexpectedly high for the context. Natural translations include: - average; ordinary; same level as; equal to; on par with ~ The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer's or speaker's purpose first: are they admiring, dismissing, or stating a fact? Then choose the English phrase that fits that context. ## How to form 並み(なみ)
Noun + 並み(なみ)
Attach **並み(なみ)** to a noun that represents a standard or comparison point. Grammatically it behaves like a noun-suffix; you then add: - 並み(なみ)の + Noun for modifying (e.g., プロぷろ並み(なみ)の技術ぎじゅつ) - 並み(なみ)に + Verb/Adjective for adverbial use (e.g., ベテランべてらん並み(なみ)に働はたらく) - 並み(なみ)だ / 並み(なみ)の (as a predicate) to state that something is at that level (e.g., 今年ことしの暑あつさは去年きょねん並み(なみ)だ) Common nouns used with 並み(なみ): - プロ (professional), 人(ひと) (person → average person), 例年(れいねん) (average year), 異常(いじょう) (abnormal), ベテラン (veteran), 休日(きゅうじつ) (holiday), etc. The noun must represent a level or standard. In JLPT questions, wrong choices might attach 並み(なみ) to a verb stem or an inappropriate noun—stick firmly to Noun + 並み(なみ). ## When is 並み(なみ) used? Use **並み(なみ)** in situations like: - praising a skill that matches a high standard (プロ並み(なみ)の腕前(うでまえ)) - stating that a condition is only ordinary (人並み(ひとなみ)の生活(せいかつ)) - expressing surprise that something has reached an unexpected level (異常(いじょう)並み(なみ)の暑(あつ)さ) - comparing current results to a past benchmark (去年(きょねん)並み(なみ)の売り上げ(うりあげ)) Tone and register: - neutral to slightly formal; common in both spoken and written Japanese - often appears in reviews, news, and everyday comparisons - can carry an emotional charge depending on the standard—admiration for professional level, mild disappointment for merely average ## 並み(なみ) example sentences
新人しんじんのプレゼンは熟練じゅくれん並み(なみ)の説得力せっとくりょくだ。
The new employee's presentation is as persuasive as a veteran's.
praise comparison
このスマホのカメラは一眼いちがんレフ並み(なみ)の画質がしつだ。
This smartphone's camera has image quality on par with a DSLR.
high standard product review
彼女(かのじょ)は人並み(ひとなみ)以上いじょうの努力どりょくをしている。
She puts in more effort than the average person.
ordinary level comparison
今月こんげつの売上うりあげは去年きょねん並み(なみ)だった。
This month's sales were about the same as last year's.
benchmark neutral
この渋滞じゅうたい、休日きゅうじつ並み(なみ)だね。
This traffic jam is as bad as on a holiday, isn't it.
casual exclamation
彼(かれ)の英語えいご力りょくはネイティブ並み(なみ)だそうだ。
I hear his English ability is almost at native level.
high standard hearsay
After reading each sentence, ask what standard **並み(なみ)** is measuring against. Is it professional, average, a past record, or something else? The context tells you whether the speaker is impressed, indifferent, or surprised. ## Nuance of 並み(なみ) The key nuance is **evaluation by comparison to a set standard**. Unlike a simple simile (e.g., ように), **並み(なみ)** implies the subject has reached *or is being judged against* that standard—sometimes with a touch of surprise or expectation. - When the standard is high (プロ並み(なみ), ネイティブ並み(なみ)), it expresses admiration or astonishment. - When the standard is average (人並み(ひとなみ), 例年(れいねん)並み(なみ)), it can be neutral but often carries subtle disappointment if the context suggests hoping for more. - When the standard is extreme (異常(いじょう)並み(なみ)), it highlights how far a situation has deviated from the norm. A pattern may look simple, but it can signal the writer’s attitude: **並み(なみ)** always invites the listener to compare. In JLPT, questions often test whether you can detect that implied judgement.
💡
Quick test: If you want to say "his cooking is like a pro's" with plain comparison, プロのようだ works. If you choose プロ並み(なみ)だ, you’re stating it reaches that level and you have an opinion about it.
## 並み(なみ) vs 同等(どうとう) Both **並み(なみ)** and **同等(どうとう)** can express equivalence, but they operate in different registers and carry different weights.
並み(なみ)
suffix, casual to semi-formal
Used to judge that a quality, skill, or situation matches a familiar standard. Often carries subjective evaluation—admiration, complaint, or surprise.
あのレストランの味(あじ)は高級店こうきゅうてん並み(なみ)だ。
That restaurant's taste is on par with a high-end place. (opinionated praise)
同等(どうとう)
noun, formal
Expresses objective equivalence in status, rights, value, or specifications. Common in contracts, legal documents, and technical writing. No built-in emotional colour.
この製品せいひんは前まえモデルと同等どうとうの性能せいのうを持っ(もっ)ている。
This product has performance equivalent to the previous model. (neutral fact)
If both translations seem possible, check the tone. A review saying *高級(こうきゅう)店並み(みせなみ)* is a personal verdict; a spec sheet saying *同等(どうとう)の性能(せいのう)* is a formal claim. Choosing the wrong one can make your Japanese sound oddly emotional or coldly bureaucratic. ## Common mistakes with 並み(なみ)
❌ 走はしる並み(なみ)
Attaching 並み(なみ) to a verb is incorrect. 並み(なみ) needs a noun as the standard.
✅ プロ並み(なみ)に走はしる
❌ 彼(かれ)は料理りょうり並み(なみ)
The meaning is vague without a modifier. "Cooking-level" needs a standard—whose cooking?
✅ 彼(かれ)はプロ並み(なみ)の料理りょうりを作つくる
❌ 彼(かれ)は並(なみ)に努力どりょくした
並(なみ)に (adjective/adverb meaning "average" or "ordinary") is a separate word. Here it means "he made a normal effort", not compared to any standard.
✅ 彼(かれ)は人並み(ひとなみ)以上いじょうに努力どりょくした
A helpful practice method: write a sentence with **並み(なみ)**, then deliberately remove の, に, or attach it to a verb to feel why the sentence breaks. That contrast locks in the attachment rule. ## Is 並み(なみ) on the JLPT?
N1

並み(なみ) is listed as JLPT N1 grammar. It appears in reading and listening sections where the task is to infer a speaker’s or author’s evaluation through comparison.

You should be able to:
  • recognise it in a sentence and identify the standard being referenced
  • understand whether the nuance is positive, negative, or neutral
  • use it in simple original sentences to express level or comparison

Grammar questions may test the correct particle after 並み(なみ) (の/に/だ) or ask you to spot a misuse where a verb or adjective is attached. In reading, you’ll often see phrases like プロ並み(なみ) or 人並み(ひとなみ) to quickly convey an evaluation.

## Practice questions for 並み(なみ)
1
Write a sentence using 並み(なみ) to praise someone’s skill (choose a standard like プロ, ベテラン, or ネイティブ).
praise
2
Compare a current situation to a past benchmark using 並み(なみ) (hint: use 去年(きょねん), 例年(れいねん), or 平年(へいねん)).
benchmark
3
Use 人並み(ひとなみ) to express that something is only average—perhaps with a hint of dissatisfaction.
ordinary
4
Create a sentence with 並み(なみ)の + Noun, like 並み(なみ)の生活(せいかつ) or 並み(なみ)の技術(ぎじゅつ), and notice how the noun you attach changes the flavour.
modifier
5
Write a sentence where you replace 並み(なみ) with 同等(どうとう) and feel how the tone shifts from personal opinion to formal equivalence.
contrast
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the standard and the speaker’s opinion become clear. ## Learning path for 並み(なみ) To learn **並み(なみ)** efficiently, start with its attachment rule, build a mental bank of common comparison nouns, then test yourself against similar expressions.
1
Memorise the pattern: Noun + 並み(なみ). Practice attaching 並み(なみ) to concrete standards: プロ, 人(ひと), 去年(きょねん), 休日(きゅうじつ), 異常(いじょう). Say each aloud.
2
Study the contrast with 同等(どうとう). Write one sentence with 並み(なみ) (opinionated) and one with 同等(どうとう) (formal). Feel the register gap.
3
Practise all three grammatical roles: 並み(なみ)の + Noun, 並み(なみ)に + Verb/Adj, 並み(なみ)だ (predicate). Create a mini-set for one noun, e.g., プロ並み(なみ)の技術(ぎじゅつ) / プロ並み(なみ)に働く(はたらく) / 彼(かれ)はプロ並み(なみ)だ.
4
Read short reviews or news snippets online (e.g., restaurant reviews, product descriptions). Highlight every instance of 並み(なみ) and identify what it’s comparing to.
5
Write five original sentences about your own life using different comparison nouns. For instance: 私(わたくし)の料理(りょうり)はまだ人並み(ひとなみ)以下(いか)だ、今月(こんげつ)の電気(でんき)代(だい)は冬(ふゆ)並み(なみ)だった, etc.
## Related grammar to review next - [なんという / なんと / なんて](/blog/n1-nan-to-iu-nanto-nante/) — because it also expresses a degree of quality or surprise, often paired with comparisons - [なくしては](/blog/n1-nakushite-wa/) — because it also sets a condition that defines a standard or necessity - [なにしろ](/blog/n1-nani-shiro/) — because it also emphasises the reason behind an evaluation, which can involve a level or standard - [ないとも限ら(かぎら)ない](/blog/n1-nai-tomo-kagiranai/) — because it also deals with possibilities that affect judgements about what is "normal" or expected ## Learn 並み(なみ) with Hane If you want to review **並み(なみ)** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)