Structure Legend
Structure
Verb[る]+ なり
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一般
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.
(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.
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息子が家に上がるなりトイレへと駆け込んだ。My son ran to the toilet as soon as he entered the house.
- ママ友が私の家に入るなり、冷蔵庫の中を物色し始めた。As soon as my mom-friend came into my house, she started to go through my refrigerator.
- 彼は机に座るなりすぐスマホをいじり始めたから注意した。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, meaning 'shape', and refers to the overall situation of (A) in a similar way to ところ.Synonyms
Examples
踊りを止めるなり、彼女が急にキスしてくれたんだ。気持ちいい。
As soon as I stopped dancing, she suddenly kissed me. I feel great.
父が出張から帰るなり母は泣きだした。
The moment father returned home from a business trip, mother started crying.
verb-stem + だす and verb-て + しまう are often used in the following clause (B).
故郷に帰るなり灰燼に帰した家を見て、驚き、悲しんだ。
The moment I returned to my home town, I saw my house reduced to ashes. I was shocked and saddened.
なり is very often used with words of movement and perception like 帰る, 入る, 見る, 聞く, 発見, etc.
実家のお母さんからの電報が来るなり、山田さんは青ざめた。
As soon as he received a telegram from his mother, Yamada became pale.
うちの奥さんは毎日起きるなりスマホで電子メールを見ている。
As soon as my wife wakes up, she checks mail on her smartphone.
This can be also used when talking about habits, it is often the case if following clause, (B), is not in the past tense.
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