Meaning & usage
ないし（は） connects two nouns as A ないし（は） B to express A or B, often with numbers to show an approximate range like 三ないし四人. It attaches directly to nouns without particles, and は adds emphasis without changing the core meaning. It belongs to formal written style for reports, notices and academic texts, so using it for casual everyday choices sounds stiff and unnatural.
Example sentences 4
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人間の背骨は、33ないし34個の骨でできています。
The human spine consists of 33 or 34 bones.
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三ないし四人で話し合います。
Three to four people will talk it over.
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参加費は五千ないし六千円です。
The participation fee is five to six thousand yen.
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二ないし三日で返事します。
I will reply in two to three days.
