Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 2: 6/17

なり

As soon as, The moment, When

Structure

Verb［る］+ なり

Details

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About なり

なり is an old-fashioned particle in Japanese that has several different uses. One of those uses is to convey the meaning of 'as soon as (A), (B)', or 'the moment of (A), (B)'. This structure will follow the dictionary form of verbs and is classified as a conjunction particle.
(B) is usually something that is surprising, and brought about by a strong sense of will or emotion. Additionally, なり is almost always used in relation to other people, rather than oneself.
  • 息子(むすこ)が家(いえ)に上(あ)がるなりトイレへと駆(か)け込(こ)んだ。
    My son ran to the toilet as soon as he entered the house.
  • ママ友(とも)が私(わたし)の家(いえ)に入(はい)るなり、冷蔵庫(れいぞうこ)の中(なか)を物色(ぶっしょく)し始(はじ)めた。
    As soon as my mom-friend came into my house, she started to go through my refrigerator.
  • 彼(かれ)は机(つくえ)に座(すわ)るなりすぐスマホをいじり始(はじ)めたから注意(ちゅうい)した。
    I warned him because he started playing on his phone as soon as he sat down.
Fun Fact
Despite appearing to be a conjugation of the う-Verb なる 'to become' at first glance, なり is actually one of the readings of 形(なり), meaning 'shape', and refers to the overall situation of (A) in a similar way to ところ.

Examples

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    踊(おど)りを止(や)めるなり、彼女(かのじょ)が急(きゅう)にキスしてくれたんだ。気持(きも)ちいい。

    As soon as I stopped dancing, she suddenly kissed me. I feel great.

    父(ちち)が出張(しゅっちょう)から帰(かえ)るなり母(はは)は泣(な)きだした。

    The moment father returned home from a business trip, mother started crying.

    故郷(ふるさと)に帰(かえ)るなり灰燼(かいじん)に帰(き)した家(いえ)を見(み)て、驚(おどろ)き、悲(かな)しんだ。

    The moment I returned to my home town, I saw my house reduced to ashes. I was shocked and saddened.

    実家(じっか)のお母(かあ)さんからの電報(でんぽう)が来(く)るなり、山田(やまだ)さんは青(あお)ざめた。

    As soon as the telegram from his mother came, Yamada became pale.

    うちの奥(おく)さんは毎日(まいにち)起(お)きるなりスマホで電子(でんし)メールを見(み)ている。

    As soon as my wife wakes up, she checks mail on her smartphone.

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