1.
from... to...; through; between
Indicates a range between two values, quantities, or points. Used in formal and written contexts, similar to English 'from X to Y' or 'X through Y'.
三日乃至五日かかる。
It takes three to five days.
参加者は百名乃至二百名の見込みだ。
The expected number of participants is between 100 and 200.
罰金乃至懲役に処される。
Punished by a fine or possibly imprisonment.
2.
or; possibly even
Used to present an alternative that may be more extreme or unexpected than the first option, similar to 'or even' or 'or possibly'.
数週間、乃至数か月かかるかもしれない。
It might take several weeks, or even several months.
停職、乃至解雇もありうる。
Suspension, or even dismissal, is possible.
この問題は地域社会、乃至国全体に影響を及ぼす可能性がある。
This problem could affect the local community, or even the entire nation.
USAGE:
A formal conjunction used primarily in written language, legal documents, and academic texts. Sense 1 (range) is the more common usage. In everyday speech, から〜まで or 〜から〜 is preferred for expressing ranges.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- A乃至B (A to/through B)
- 数〜、乃至数〜 (several X, or even several Y)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- から〜まで: from... to... — the everyday equivalent for expressing ranges
- もしくは: or, alternatively — a formal alternative conjunction without the range meaning
- あるいは: or, possibly — less formal than 乃至