及びます（およびます、oyobimasu）
- to reach

The Japanese word 及びます is a formal verb that generally means "and," "also," "as well as," "including," or "to reach." It is often used to connect items in a list or to indicate that something extends to a certain point. It can also mean "to concern," "to involve," or "to affect" in a more abstract sense. The verb 及ぶ （"to reach", "to extend to") is the base verb form, and 及びます is the polite, ます-form conjugation of that verb. This form is common in formal written Japanese and in polite speech. It implies a degree of formality and respect. It is very useful for showing what's contained in something or what is influenced by something else.

⚫︎法律及び規則 Translation: Laws and regulations. ⚫︎この件は、多くの人々に及びます Translation: This matter affects many people. ⚫︎価格は消費税及び送料及びます Translation: The price includes consumption tax and shipping costs.

⚫︎及ぶ and 及びます are used in formal situations, such as official documents, business correspondence, news reports, and academic writing. ⚫︎It's crucial to understand that it's often used to list items, indicating a connection or expansion of scope. ⚫︎You can use it to introduce additional information or components within a larger group. ⚫︎Pay attention to the formality when you are communicating. Using 及びます inappropriately in casual conversations might sound unnatural.

⚫︎The verb is typically written as 及びます. ⚫︎The base form is 及ぶ (read as およぶ). ⚫︎The particle て can be added to the base to form the "te" form, i.e. 及んで (read as およんで). ⚫︎The formal polite form is 及びます. The verb is often written in kanji, but the conjugation remains in hiragana.

⚫︎と (and) - a simpler, less formal conjunction. ⚫︎並びに (narabini) - also meaning "and," but more formal than 及び. ⚫︎や (ya) - used to list examples. ⚫︎それに (sore ni) - "and also," "in addition." ⚫︎含む (fukumu) - meaning "to include." (often used as the base verb form)

While 及ます doesn't have a direct antonym, it implies an expansion or connection. There are no direct antonyms, but you could consider words that indicate separation or exclusion. For example, a word like "excluding" or "except" could be considered an opposite idea.

この契約は、技術支援及び保守サービス及びます ・Translation: This contract includes technical support and maintenance services. ・Explanation: In this example, 及びます is used to list two services that are included in the contract, showing its scope.

彼は、国内及び海外の両方の経験及びます ・Translation: He has experience both domestically and overseas. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how 及びます can connect different categories, in this case, the scope of experience (domestic and overseas).

The verb 及ぶ comes from the classical Japanese verb 及ぶ(oyobu). It originally referred to the concept of reaching or extending to something. The base meaning is that something reaches a certain point or encompasses something else. The "masu" form is added for politeness and formality.