並み 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 is a powerful suffix to learn because it adds immediate evaluation and natural precision to your Japanese.
What does 並み mean?
Use 並み 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 ~
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
Attach 並み to a noun that represents a standard or comparison point. Grammatically it behaves like a noun-suffix; you then add:
- 並みの + Noun for modifying (e.g., プロ並みの技術)
- 並みに + Verb/Adjective for adverbial use (e.g., ベテラン並みに働く)
- 並みだ / 並みの (as a predicate) to state that something is at that level (e.g., 今年の暑さは去年並みだ)
Common nouns used with 並み:
- プロ (professional), 人 (person → average person), 例年 (average year), 異常 (abnormal), ベテラン (veteran), 休日 (holiday), etc.
The noun must represent a level or standard. In JLPT questions, wrong choices might attach 並み to a verb stem or an inappropriate noun—stick firmly to Noun + 並み.
When is 並み used?
Use 並み in situations like:
- praising a skill that matches a high standard (プロ並みの腕前)
- stating that a condition is only ordinary (人並みの生活)
- expressing surprise that something has reached an unexpected level (異常並みの暑さ)
- comparing current results to a past benchmark (去年並みの売り上げ)
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 example sentences
After reading each sentence, ask what standard 並み 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
The key nuance is evaluation by comparison to a set standard. Unlike a simple simile (e.g., ように), 並み 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, ネイティブ並み), it expresses admiration or astonishment.
- When the standard is average (人並み, 例年並み), it can be neutral but often carries subtle disappointment if the context suggests hoping for more.
- When the standard is extreme (異常並み), 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 always invites the listener to compare. In JLPT, questions often test whether you can detect that implied judgement.
並み vs 同等
Both 並み and 同等 can express equivalence, but they operate in different registers and carry different weights.
A review saying 高級店並み is a personal verdict; a spec sheet saying 同等の性能 is a formal claim. Choosing the wrong one can make your Japanese sound oddly emotional or coldly bureaucratic.
Common mistakes with 並み
A helpful practice method: write a sentence with 並み, 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 on the JLPT?
並み 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.
- 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 (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 or 人並み to quickly convey an evaluation.
Practice questions for 並み
Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the standard and the speaker’s opinion become clear.
Learning path for 並み
To learn 並み efficiently, start with its attachment rule, build a mental bank of common comparison nouns, then test yourself against similar expressions.
Related grammar to review next
- なんという / なんと / なんて — because it also expresses a degree of quality or surprise, often paired with comparisons
- なくしては — because it also sets a condition that defines a standard or necessity
- なにしろ — because it also emphasises the reason behind an evaluation, which can involve a level or standard
- ないとも限らない — because it also deals with possibilities that affect judgements about what is “normal” or expected
Learn 並み with Hane
If you want to review 並み together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about 並み
What does 並み (nami) mean in Japanese?
並み (nami) means “average; ordinary; same level as; equal to; on par with”. It is JLPT N1 grammar. Use 並み 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.
How do you form 並み (nami)?
Noun + 並み Attach 並み to a noun that represents a standard or comparison point. Grammatically it behaves like a noun-suffix; you then add: - 並みの + Noun for modifying (e.g., プロ並みの技術) - 並みに + Verb/Adjective for adverbial use (e.g.
What is the difference between 並み and 同等?
並み: suffix, casual to semi-formal. 同等: noun, formal.
What is an example sentence with 並み (nami)?
新人のプレゼンは熟練並みの説得力だ。 — The new employee's presentation is as persuasive as a veteran's.