Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
なお (nao) is an adverb or conjunction primarily used to introduce supplementary information, corrections, or further details related to the preceding statement.
🎯 Primary Function
To add significant, often important, related information after a main point has been conveyed, frequently in formal or written communication.
📋 Grammar Structure
なお + [Sentence/Clause containing supplementary information]. Naoshi is usually placed at the beginning of a sentence or clause, connecting it to the previous one.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Very common in formal announcements, business communication, official documents, and polite emails.
Informal Situations
Rarely used in casual conversation. Sounds stiff and unnatural.
Written Language
Highly prevalent and appropriate in written Japanese.
Spoken Language
Generally avoided in casual spoken Japanese, occasionally used in formal speeches or presentations.
💡 Common Applications
Adding supplementary details or conditions.
Used to provide additional information that is relevant to the main topic but presented separately.
Example: 会議は予定通り午前10時に開始します。なお、資料は事前にご確認いただけますようお願いいたします。
Providing important side notes or reminders.
Used to highlight crucial points or necessary actions related to the context.
Example: お問い合わせありがとうございます。商品の発送は明日を予定しております。なお、お届けまでには数日かかる場合がございます。
Making corrections or providing updates.
Can be used to amend previously stated information or give the latest status.
Example: 前回の説明に一部誤りがありました。なお、正しい情報はウェブサイトをご確認ください。
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal and written contexts; infrequent in casual spoken language.
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (appropriate for N2 learners).
Example Sentences
会議は予定通り午前10時に開始します。なお、資料は事前にご確認いただけますようお願いいたします。
The meeting will start at 10 AM as scheduled. Furthermore, please confirm the materials in advance.
お問い合わせありがとうございます。商品の発送は明日を予定しております。なお、お届けまでには数日かかる場合がございます。
Thank you for your inquiry. The product is scheduled to be shipped tomorrow. In addition, delivery may take several days.
本イベントは雨天決行です。なお、荒天の場合は中止となる可能性がございます。
This event will be held even if it rains. However, in the case of stormy weather, there is a possibility of cancellation.
会議は午後3時に開始します。なお、参加者は10分前までに会場にお越しください。
The meeting will start at 3 PM. Please note that participants should arrive at the venue at least 10 minutes early.
商品の発送は来週となります。なお、配送状況はマイページでご確認いただけます。
The product will be shipped next week. You can check the delivery status on your account page.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Primarily used in written and formal contexts.
Avoid using なお in casual conversation as it sounds unnatural and overly formal.
Example: 友人との会話: 「昨日映画見たよ。なお、すごく面白かった。」 ← Incorrect/Unnatural. Use そして or simply add the comment.
Introduces supplementary, often important, information.
The information introduced by なお is usually significant and related to the main topic, but adds a side note, condition, or correction rather than just continuing a list of events.
Example: お知らせ：図書館は年末年始休館します。なお、返却ポストはご利用いただけます。 (Adds a specific important detail about the post box during closure).
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using なお in casual spoken Japanese.
✅ Use casual conjunctions or simply add the information without a specific connector like それから, そして, or just continue the sentence.
なお carries a formal tone unsuitable for relaxed conversation.
❌ Confusing なお with other conjunctions like そして, また, さらに, or ところで.
✅ Understand the specific nuance of なお – adding related supplementary information, distinct from simple addition (また, そして, さらに) or changing the topic (ところで).
While related, each conjunction has a distinct function and usage context.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: High. Its use is associated with formal and polite communication.
Social Situations: Appropriate in business meetings, official announcements, formal emails, public notices, and academic writing.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in the meaning or usage of なお as a conjunction.
🔍 Subtle Differences
なお vs. そして (soshite)
そして primarily connects consecutive actions or events, or lists items/reasons simply. なお connects a main statement to a supplementary, often important, related detail or condition.
When to use: Use そして for sequence or simple addition. Use なお for adding a relevant side note or condition in formal context.
なお vs. また (mata)
また means “also” or “again,” often adding another item of the same type or resuming something. なお adds related supplementary information that provides a different angle or specific detail.
When to use: Use また to add another similar point or item. Use なお for a specific, often important, related side note.
なお vs. さらに (sarani)
さらに means “furthermore,” “moreover,” or “additionally,” often used to add information that builds upon or strengthens the previous point, indicating progression or intensification. なお adds supplementary information that might clarify, qualify, or add a related detail rather than necessarily intensifying the previous point.
When to use: Use さらに to build upon or intensify. Use なお to add related clarifying or supplementary information.
📝 Conjugation Notes
なお is an adverb/conjunction and does not conjugate.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced な・お (na-o). Ensure both vowels are clearly pronounced.
🧠 Memory Tips
Associate なお with “note also” or “add a note” in a formal context. Imagine adding a P.S. to a formal letter.
Vocabulary List
会議
kaigi
meeting
予定通り
yoteidoori
as planned
開始する
kaishisuru
to start
資料
shiryou
materials
事前に
jizen ni
in advance
確認する
kakuninsuru
to confirm
お願いいたします
please (humble)
Kanji List
会議
かいぎ
meeting
予定
よてい
plan, schedule
通
どおり
通り – street, according to
開始
かいし
start, commencement
資料
しりょう
materials, data
事前
じぜん
prior, beforehand
確認
かくにん
confirmation
お願い
おねがい
request, favor
問
とい
お問い合わせ – inquiry, question
合
あわせ
お問い合わせ – inquiry, match, join
商品
しょうひん
product
Practice Exercises
Choose the most appropriate word to fill the blank. “重要なお知らせです。明日のセミナーは予定通り開催されます。＿＿、会場には駐車場がございませんので、公共交通機関をご利用ください。”
１）ところで
２）しかし
３）なお
４）たとえば
Choose the most appropriate word to fill the blank. “資料は事前にメールでお送りします。＿＿、当日は筆記用具をご持参ください。”
１）しかし
２）たとえば
３）なお
４）それとも
Choose the most appropriate word to fill the blank. “A社の製品は安価で人気があります。＿＿、品質に問題があるとの指摘もあります。”
１）つまり
２）しかし
３）なお
４）たとえば
Choose the most appropriate word to fill the blank. “皆さま、会議はこれで終了です。＿＿、来週の予定についてご案内します。”
１）ところで
２）しかし
３）なお
４）そのため
Choose the most appropriate word to fill the blank. “来月から新しい制度が始まります。＿＿、詳しい内容は社内ポータルでご確認ください。”
１）しかし
２）だから
３）なお
４）つまり
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