〜なり

As Soon As/or

Level 4Sounds Like nari

〜なり is a formal particle with two main uses: 1) Describing an action that happens immediately after another (Succession), and 2) Listing options where any choice is acceptable (Alternative).

How It Works

〜なり is a versatile particle primarily found in formal writing, literature, and professional contexts. It is categorized at the advanced level due to its specific nuances and formal register.

1. Immediate Succession ('As soon as')
In this usage, it indicates that the second action occurs almost simultaneously with the first. It often carries a nuance of a 'burst' of momentum or a reflexive response. The subject of both actions is usually exactly the same, though exceptions exist for triggered reactions or natural phenomena.

  • Form: Verb (Dictionary Form) + 〜なり
  • Nuance: It describes an objective observation of a sudden or reflexive action. It cannot be used for the speaker's own intentional actions, though it can be used for the first person if describing an involuntary reaction or objectively recounting a past event. Because it describes an objective observation, the second clause cannot contain commands, requests, invitations, or expressions of the speaker's will. Additionally, the second clause must be affirmative and cannot be a negative sentence.

2. Alternatives ('Or / Or something')
This usage lists one or more representative examples, implying that the speaker is indifferent to which one is chosen, or that any similar option would suffice. It can be used with a single option to mean 'do [X] or something' (e.g., 先生に聞くなりしてください（せんせいにきくなりしてください）) and can also attach to question words (e.g., 誰なり（だれなり）).

  • Form: Noun + 〜なり / Verb (Dictionary Form) + 〜なり
  • Nuance: Often used in the pattern 'A 〜なり B 〜なり' (A or B). A highly common set phrase is 〜なりなんなり (or whatever / or something), which is frequently used to offer options. Note that when used with nouns, it cannot follow the particles は, が, or を. Importantly, because it implies indifference ('I don't care which one you choose'), this pattern should not be used when offering options to superiors or people of higher status, as it can sound dismissive or blunt.

3. Unchanged State ('Remaining as is / Since')
In this usage, it indicates that a state has continued unchanged since a specific action occurred, often implying that an expected subsequent action did not happen.

  • Form: Verb (た form) + 〜なり (often used as 〜なりで to link clauses)
  • Nuance: It emphasizes a prolonged, unchanged state, frequently followed by a negative expression. A classic example is 出かけたなり帰ってこない（でかけたなりかえってこない）(went out and hasn't come back since).

4. In One's Own Way / Appropriate To
This usage expresses that something is done to the best of one's ability or in a manner suitable to their status or condition.

  • Form: Noun + 〜なりに / 〜なりの / Verb (Dictionary Form) + 〜なりに / 〜なりの
  • Nuance: It acknowledges limitations but emphasizes effort or suitability within those bounds. For example, 子供には子供なりの考えがある（こどもにはこどもなりのかんがえがある）(Children have their own way of thinking).

5. Minimum Acceptable Level ('At least / Even just')
This usage expresses a minimum acceptable level or amount, often used when making a modest request or suggestion.

  • Form: Noun + 〜なりとも
  • Nuance: It implies 'even if it is just this small amount or thing, it would be helpful or appreciated.' For example, 少し〜なりともお役に立てれば（すこしなりともおやくにたてれば）(If I can be of at least a little help).

Examples (4)

  1. 彼は部屋に入るなり、床に倒れ込んで寝てしまった。

    As soon as he entered the room, he collapsed onto the floor and fell asleep.

    Word by Word: He room into enter as-soon-as, floor on collapse-into sleep-ended-up.

    Here, 'enter' is in the dictionary form (入る) followed by なり to show the immediate, almost reflexive action of collapsing.

  2. 犯人は警官の姿を見るなり、裏口から逃げ出した。

    The moment the criminal saw the police officer, he fled through the back exit.

    Word by Word: Criminal police-officer's appearance see as-soon-as, back-exit from flee-started.

    This shows a sudden reaction to a stimulus. The dictionary form 見る (to see) is used despite the event being in the past.

  3. 分からないことがあれば、先生に聞くなり辞書で調べるなりしてください。

    If there is something you don't understand, please ask the teacher or look it up in a dictionary.

    Word by Word: Don't-understand thing if-exists, teacher to ask-or dictionary with search-or please-do.

    This uses the 'alternative' function, suggesting two possible actions (asking or searching) as representative examples.

  4. 電話なりメールなりで、早めに連絡をください。

    Please contact me early, whether by phone or email.

    Word by Word: Phone-or email-or by, early contact please-give.

    This demonstrates the use of なり with nouns to list options.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the past tense (Ta-form) before 〜なり for succession.

    彼は部屋に入ったなり、寝てしまった。
    彼は部屋に入るなり、寝てしまった。

    Even if the entire sentence describes a past event, the verb immediately preceding 〜なり must always be in the dictionary form.

  • Using 〜なり for the speaker's intentional actions.

    私は家に帰るなり、宿題をします。
    私は家に帰ったら、すぐに宿題をします。

    The 'as soon as' usage of 〜なり cannot be used for the speaker's own intentional actions. It describes an objective observation of a sudden or reflexive action. While it can be used for first-person subjects if describing an involuntary reaction or objectively recounting a past event, for your own planned actions, 〜たら or 〜てから is more appropriate.

How It Connects

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〜なりLevel 4As Soon As/or

Learn This First

To understand 〜なり, you need to be comfortable with basic verb usage and the concept of sequential actions. It is used to describe an action that happens immediately after another, or to list alternatives (similar to 'or'). Familiarity with other 'as soon as' structures helps in distinguishing its specific nuance of sudden, often unexpected, follow-up actions.

Words in This Pattern