How to tell them apart
及び and 並びに both connect nouns in formal writing, but 並びに is heavier and more official, often pairing large or parallel items like 法律の制定並びに施行, while 及び is a lighter all-purpose formal and. かつ is different: it links predicates or whole clauses and stresses that two conditions hold at once, as in 速く且つ正確に, so using 及び there would be unnatural.
- 及び Use 及び to connect two nouns in formal written Japanese without special emphasis.
- 並びに Use 並びに for legal or official texts joining major parallel items.
- 且つ・かつ Use かつ to link predicates or clauses where both conditions apply simultaneously.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| 及び bi | Connects items; formal written 'and' or 'as well as' | N1 |
| 並びに bini | Connects items formally: and; both ~ and ~; as well as | N1 |
| 且つ・かつ tsu katsu | In addition; furthermore; simultaneously (formal usage) | N1 |
及び bi
Connects items; formal written 'and' or 'as well as'
および connects two or more nouns with the meaning and or as well as, as in ドア及び窓. It is placed between nouns and is often written in hiragana in modern documents, though the kanji form appears in laws and formal notices. It is reserved for formal writing such as contracts, manuals, and announcements, so と or や sounds more natural in conversation.
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試験中は、全てのドア及び窓を開放してください。
Please keep all windows and doors open during an exam.
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この切符の変更および払い戻しはできません。
This train ticket is non-exchangeable and non-refundable.
並びに bini
Connects items formally: and; both ~ and ~; as well as
並びに links two nouns with the meaning N1 and N2 or N1 as well as N2. It is used in formal notices, business documents, and ceremonial speeches to list people, offices, or items together with equal weight. The pattern is N1並びにN2, with no particle after N1 and no conjugation. It is too stiff for everyday conversation, where と is normal, and both nouns should sound suitably formal and specific.
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本社並びに各支店は年末年始の期間休業いたします。
The head office and all branch offices will be closed over the New Year period.
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社長並びに従業員の皆様に心より感謝申し上げます。
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the president and all the employees.
且つ・かつ tsu katsu
In addition; furthermore; simultaneously (formal usage)
かつ is a formal conjunction meaning and, moreover, or at the same time, used to link two qualities, actions, or statements that hold together. It is placed between parallel elements, as in 迅速かつ効率的に or 適切かつ冷静な, where na-adjectives and na-adjective-like nouns join in stem form without な or に before かつ. It belongs to written and formal spoken style and often pairs nouns or clauses, as in 詩人であり、かつ小説家だ.
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カナダとの関係は適切かつ冷静な状態が保たれていた。
Relations with Canada remained correct and cool.
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現代の金融は一段と複雑かつ高度になってきている。
Modern finance is becoming increasingly complicated and sophisticated.
及び and 並びに and 且つ・かつ are both JLPT N1 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares all 3 side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.