Japanese grammar
What does ～なり mean? Japanese grammar N1
～なり means as soon as… (immediately)….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 動詞 辞書形 + なり |
| Romaji | nari |
| Meaning | as soon as… (immediately)… |
Forming it
| Verb (see) | 顔を見る + なり |
|---|---|
| Verb (sit) | 席に着く + なり |
How to use it
States that right after A happens, B immediately follows; B is usually unexpected. Written.
- 「～なり」 = "the moment A happens, B immediately follows". A and B occur almost simultaneously; B is usually unexpected/unusual.
- The subject of both clauses is usually the SAME person; A uses the dictionary form.
- The latter clause is an UNEXPECTED action, not the speaker's intention/a command.
Examples
彼は席に着くなり、話し始めた。
As soon as he sat down, he started talking.
母は私の顔を見るなり、泣き出した。
The moment my mother saw my face, she burst into tears.
Keep in mind
- Verb dictionary form + なり.
- The following clause is usually in the past tense, unexpected.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong家に帰るなり、宿題をしなさい。
As soon as you get home, go do your homework.
Correct家に帰るなり、寝てしまった。
The clause after 「なり」 is an UNEXPECTED action that already happened, not a command.
-
Wrong座ったなり、話し始めた。
The moment he sat down, he started talking.
Correct座るなり、話し始めた。
「なり」 uses the DICTIONARY form (座る), not the た form.
Exam tips
- 「なり」 = the moment A happens, B immediately follows (unexpected); A is the dictionary form, no command in the latter clause.