“〜no hakobi to naru・to ai-narimashite”: It Has Come to / Reached the Stage Of [JLPT N1]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

A highly polite expression for opening a formal ceremony speech

「このたび、めでたく開店の運びとなりました」 — “we have finally reached the moment of …” in a ceremony address

At the opening of formal addresses for openings, completions, weddings, you often hear 「このたび、めでたく開店の運びとなりました (this time, we have happily reached the opening)」 — 「〜の運びとなりまして／〜と相なりまして」 = (matters have solemnly progressed to) at last reaching the moment, stage of ～. It's a highly polite written expression exclusive to ceremony addresses. This guide clarifies its solemn feel, the meaning of 「運び（はこび）,」 the 「相」 of 「相なる,」 and separating it from the colloquial 「やっと～になった.」

Core: (solemnly) matters have progressed to the moment, stage of ～

「〜の運びとなる（となりまして）」「〜と相なる（相なりまして）」 are extremely solemn, formal phrasings meaning “(through preparation and various processes,) matters have at last progressed to the stage, moment of ～,” mostly in ceremony addresses:

• 皆様のおかげをもちまして、無事に竣工の運びとなりました (thanks to you all, we have safely reached completion).
• このたび、結婚の運びと相なりましたことを、ご報告申し上げます (we report that this time we have reached marriage).
• 長年の準備を経て、ついに開業の運びとなりまして、感無量です (after years of preparation, we have at last reached opening, and are deeply moved).

Feel: the core is “(matters have solemnly) progressed to the moment of ～.” 「運び（はこび）」 here means the progress, course of matters (not “carrying”); 「相なる」 is a solemn, archaic phrasing of 「なる.」 The whole carries a highly polite, solemn, celebratory feel, a fixed opening for ceremony addresses for completions, openings, weddings. In English: “we have at last reached the moment of ～／matters have progressed to the stage of ～.”

Forms & attachment

Example sentences

• 多くの方々のご支援により、この度、新社屋落成の運びとなりました。(With many people's support, this time we have reached the completion of the new office building.)
• 諸般の準備が整い、いよいよ開幕の運びと相なりました。(All preparations in order, we have at last reached the opening.)
• ささやかながら、披露宴を催す運びとなりましたので、ご案内申し上げます。(Modest though it is, we have reached the holding of a reception, and so extend our invitation.)
• 交渉が実を結び、契約締結の運びとなった。(Negotiations bore fruit, progressing to the signing of the contract.)

⚠️ Easy traps to avoid

① 「運び」 is read 「はこび」; here it's ‘progress, course,' not ‘carrying.' This is the first hurdle. The kanji 「運び」 easily suggests “carrying, transport,” but in 「〜の運びとなる,」 「運び（はこび）」 means “the progress, course, stage matters have reached” (as if matters were “driven, moved” to a stage). So 「開店の運びとなる」 isn't “carrying the opening” but “(matters have progressed to) the stage, moment of opening.” Test: on seeing 「〜の運びとなる／となりまして,」 read it as “(matters have) progressed to the moment, stage of ～,” unrelated to “carrying.”

② ⭐It's a highly polite written expression exclusive to ceremony addresses — not for everyday speech. This is the most important register reminder. 「〜の運びとなりまして／〜と相なりまして」 is an extremely solemn, formal, written expression, used almost only in addresses, formal notices for ceremonies, formal occasions (completion ceremonies, opening ceremonies, marriage reports, opening announcements), with a solemn, celebratory feel. Everyday speech never puts it this way — for “we're finally opening” friends just say 「やっと開店できることになった」「ようやくお店を開けるよ,」 not 「開店の運びとなりまして」 (which would sound extremely exaggerated, out of place). So this expression's habitat is formal addresses, congratulations, official notices. Test: for a formal ceremony address or solemn written notice, to solemnly say “we have at last reached the moment of ～” → の運びとなりまして; everyday speech → use やっと／ようやく〜になった.

③ The 「相」 of 「相なる」 is a solemnity-boosting prefix, not ‘mutual.' The 「相（あい）」 of 「〜と相なりまして」 is easily misread as “mutual, reciprocal,” but here 「相」 is a prefix boosting the solemn, dignified feel, with no “mutual” meaning. 「相なる（あいなる）」 = a solemn, archaic version of 「なる (become),」 more dignified, more formal in feel. So 「開業と相なりまして」 = a more solemn phrasing of 「開業となりまして」 (= reached the stage of opening), the 「相」 just making the tone more solemn, not “mutually opening.” Similar are 「相済みません (a solemn すみません), 相分かる.」 Test: the 「相」 of 「相なる」 is a solemnity prefix (= a more dignified 「なる」), not “mutual.”

④ Mostly for good, celebratory occasions. This expression is used almost only for celebratory, positive matters — opening, completion, inauguration, a building's completion, marriage, contract signing. It means “(through preparation and various processes,) matters have at last solemnly progressed to this celebratory moment of ～,” with a celebratory, moved, grateful feel. It's rarely used for negative, unfortunate matters (one wouldn't say 「倒産の運びとなりまして」 to celebrate). Test: to solemnly announce in a congratulation or address “(happily) we have at last reached the moment of ～ (a good thing)” → の運びとなりまして.

🔄 Nuance & comparison: の運びとなる／と相なる／ことになる／やっと〜になった

💡 An exam judgment tip

「〜の運びとなりまして／〜と相なりまして」 = (matters have solemnly progressed to) at last reaching the moment, stage of ～ — four points: ①「運び」 is read 「はこび,」 meaning “progress, course,” not “carrying”; ②⭐it's a highly polite written expression exclusive to ceremony addresses — not for everyday speech (speech uses やっと／ようやく〜になった); ③ the 「相」 of 「相なる」 is a solemnity-boosting prefix, not “mutual”; ④ mostly for good, celebratory occasions (opening／completion／marriage). This is an expression with a very definite setting — it lives almost only at the opening of formal addresses like completion ceremonies, opening ceremonies, marriage reports, opening announcements; a single 「このたび、めでたく開店の運びとなりました」 renders that solemnity and joy of “(after preparation) at last solemnly arriving at this celebratory moment” with elegance. In learning it, the key is to recognize this address formula and grasp its solemn, celebratory sense; for everyday “finally ～,” just use 「やっと」「ようやく.」

❓ Common questions

Q: What does 「開店の運びとなりました」 mean? Is 「運び」 ‘carrying'?

「開店の運びとなりました」 = “(matters have progressed to) reaching the moment／stage of opening,” and here 「運び」 is not “carrying” but “the progress, course of matters.” 「運び（はこび）」 in this expression means “the stage matters have advanced, progressed to” — as if matters were, step by step, “driven, moved” to a moment. So 「開店の運びとなる」 = “(matters have progressed to) the stage of opening” = a solemn phrasing of “we're finally opening.” This is a highly polite expression exclusive to ceremony addresses, formal notices, with a solemn, celebratory feel, often with 「このたび (this time), めでたく (happily), 皆様のおかげで (thanks to you all)」: このたび、皆様のおかげをもちまして、無事に開店の運びとなりました (this time, thanks to you all, we have safely reached the opening). Its feel is “(after preparation) at last solemnly arriving at this celebratory moment of opening.” Test: on seeing 「〜の運びとなる／となりまして,」 read it as the solemn-address usage “(matters have) progressed to the moment, stage of ～,” 「運び」 here unrelated to “carrying,” meaning “progress, course.” For everyday “we're finally opening,” just use 「やっと開店できる」「ようやくお店を開ける.」

Q: 「〜の運びとなる」 and 「〜ことになる」 both mean ‘(become) ～, (reach) ～' — what's the difference?

The difference is ‘register, solemnity' and ‘emphasis.' 「〜の運びとなる」 = (solemnly) matters have progressed to the moment, stage of ～ (exclusive to ceremony addresses, extremely solemn, celebratory): it's an extremely solemn, formal, written expression, used almost only in ceremony addresses, formal notices, emphasizing “(through preparation, processes) at last progressing to this celebratory moment of ～,” with solemnity, celebration, feeling: 無事に竣工の運びとなりました (we have safely reached completion — solemn celebration). Its emphasis is on “progressing, advancing to a (good) stage,” with an extremely solemn tone. 「〜ことになる」 = (be decided to) become ～, decided to ～ (neutral, written, see 〈ことになる〉): it's a neutral, general written expression, emphasizing “(not by one's own will) matters are decided to be ～, turn out to be ～,” plain in tone, without special celebration or solemnity: 来月、大阪に転勤することになった (next month I'm to transfer to Osaka — (the company decided) it turned out so), 会議は延期することになった (the meeting is decided to be postponed). It just plainly states “(is) decided／turns out to be ～.” Difference: 「の運びとなる」 extremely solemn, ceremonial celebration, emphasizing “progressing to the moment of ～”; 「ことになる」 neutral, plain, emphasizing “(is) decided／turns out to be ～.” Test: for a formal ceremony address, solemn celebration “we have at last reached the moment of ～” → の運びとなる; to neutrally say “(it turns out, is decided) to become ～, decided to ～” → ことになる.

🖊️ Practice Questions (5)

Q1. 「このたび、新社屋開設の___となりました。」(this time, the moment has come to open the new office building)

(A) 運び　(B) 限り　(C) 始末　(D) あまり

Q2. 「〜の運びとなる」の意味として正しいものは？

(A) Matters have progressed to the stage/moment of ~

(B) Matters failed completely

(C) Matters stopped midway

(D) Matters were canceled

Q3. 「めでたく竣工の運びとなりました。」In what kind of setting does this sentence usually appear?

(A) A speech at a formal ceremony (such as a completion ceremony)

(B) Casual chat between friends

(C) A letter of apology

(D) A complaint message

Q4. 「運び（はこび）」の意味として最も適切なものは？

(A) Progress / process　(B) Luggage　(C) Failure　(D) Distance

Q5. 「〜の運びとなりまして」の語感として正しいものは？

(A) The opening of a formal, careful ceremonial speech

(B) Relaxed, casual everyday speech

(C) A commanding tone

(D) A questioning tone

Answer Explanations

1. (A) 運び ── 「〜の運びとなる」 = matters have progressed to the moment of 〜.

2. (A) Matters have progressed to the stage/moment of ~ ── 「運び」 = progress, the course of events.

3. (A) A speech at a formal ceremony ── Used mainly in ceremonial addresses at completions, openings, weddings, and the like.

4. (A) Progress / process ── Here 「運び（はこび）」 refers to how matters progress.

5. (A) ── It is the fixed, formal opening of a careful ceremonial address.