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道Nihongo Path
並

並·line up, row, ordinary, average

On-yomi
ヘイ
Kun-yomi
なら(ぶ)なら(べる)なみ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

8 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
並ぶならぶto line up, to stand in a row
並べるならべるto arrange, to line things up
並行へいこうparallel, side by side
人並みひとなみaverage, like everyone else

Example sentences

  1. 店の前に長い列が並んでいる。

    みせのまえにながいれつがならんでいる。

    A long line has formed in front of the shop.

  2. 皿をテーブルに並べてください。

    さらをてーぶるにならべてください。

    Please set the plates out on the table.

  3. 二つの計画を並行して進めています。

    ふたつのけいかくをへいこうしてすすめています。

    We are moving forward with the two plans in parallel.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up 並ぶ (intransitive: things are in a row) with 並べる (transitive: you put them in a row)
  • Reading 人並み as *ひとなみ meaning 'crowd' — it means 'average'; 人波 is the wave of people

Memory aid

Picture it

Originally two people standing side by side — the shape still has two matching halves left and right.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 並 mean?