Japanese word

ないし

Pronunciation

Romajinaishi

Meaning

  • conjunctionor

Example

電車ないしバスで行きます。den sha na i shi ba su de i ki ma su

I will go by train or bus.

Illustration for ないし (or)

More examples

ご連絡は電話ないしメールでお願いします。go ren raku wa den wa na i shi mē ru de o nega i shi ma su

Please contact us by phone or email.

Core concept

Connects two or more alternatives or marks the endpoints of a range, covering meanings such as "or," "between," and "from ... to ...".

Common phrases

  • 電話ないしメールden wa na i shi mē ru

    phone or email

Similar words

またはmatawa: Joins two or more possible choices in a clear, neutral way.
もしくはmoshikuwa: Joins alternatives in formal statements and written language.
あるいはaruiwa: Introduces another possible choice or outcome.

Definition in Japanese

いくつかの事柄のうちの一つを示すほか、数量や時間などの範囲の始まりと終わりを示す語。i ku tsu ka no koto gara no u chi no hito tsu o shime su ho ka sū ryō ya ji kan na do no han i no haji ma ri to o wa ri o shime su go

Word origin

The conjunction ないし (naishi) is the kana spelling of 乃至 (naishi), a Sino-Japanese compound of 乃 (nai, "namely") and 至 (shi, "reach") used to link alternatives or endpoints.

Usage tips

  • The conjunction ないし (naishi) sounds formal in modern Japanese, while everyday conversation more often uses または (matawa, "or") or か (ka, "or").

Other meanings

  • between ___ and ___conjunction
  • from ___ to ___conjunction

Word lists with this word