Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 3: 6/17

~たなりWhile... ~ing, Remaining, Not or ever since, Keep or leave

Structure

Verb[た]+ なり + (で)+ Phrase

Details

  • Register

    Formal

About たなり・なり

When following the た, past-tense form of a verb, the conjunction particle なり 'shape' indicates something existing in an ongoing state, similar to まま. This may be translated as 'while (A)', or 'remaining (A)'.

Due to ~たなり sentences usually describing something happening while in the state of (A), it will often be followed directly by a comma, or by the conjunctive form of the auxiliary verb だ, で. After this, the (B) phrase will then describe what is happening during (A).

~たなり will primarily be used to express an undesirable state continuing despite (A) having happened, although this is not a strict rule.

As ~たなり indicates that (A) is something that is continuing to stay in the same state, it will often have the nuance of 'ever since (A)' in situations where a significant amount of time has passed.

Caution

This なり derives from the noun (なり) 'shape' in its hiragana form, and is different to the なり that is used as the classic copula.

Examples

--:--

    (かれ)(こし)かけたなりじっと(かんが)えていた。

    While remaining seated, he has been pondering intently.

    (まち)(はな)れたなり消息(しょうそく)途絶(とだ)えた。

    We haven't heard from her ever since she left the city.

    3年(さんねん)(まえ)(なみだ)ながらに家出(いえで)したなり(かえ)ってこない。

    She ran away three years ago in tears, and hasn't come back (ever) since.

    レース()(くさ)(うえ)(よこ)になったなり()(つづ)けた。

    After the race, he cried while lying down on the grass.

    宿泊客(しゅくはくきゃく)一人(ひとり)がドアを()けたなりにしてあります。

    One of the hotel guests left the doors open.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online


    • Offline

        • A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar

          Page 580

      • Track Resources!

        Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

      たなり・なり – Grammar Discussion

      There's currently no discussion for たなり・なり

      Start it to ask questions and learn together with other Bunpro users!

      Start Discussion