Grammar Info
N1 Lesson 6: 9/17

~なり~なり
or, either or

Structure
Verb[る](A) + なり + Verb[る](B) + なり + する
Noun (A) + (Particle(1))+ なり + Noun (B) + (Particle(1))+ なり
Noun (A) + なり + Noun (B) + なり + (Particle(1)
Verb[る]+ なり + WH-Word + (Particle)+ なり + する
Noun + (Particle(1))+ なり + WH-Word + (Particle(1))+ なり

(1) Particles and cannot be used in this case
Details
Register Polite
使用域 敬語
Information
  • [AなりBなり is a polite expression used for listing examples non-exhaustively]
  • [It is often used with phrases expressing requests, recommendations, the imperative, and intent like ほうがいい、なさい、たらどう、すればいい、ください、ないといけない, the volitional form, and so on]
  • [Emphasizes that something is fine as long as it is the same type of thing that was previously mentioned]
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《小説(しょうせつ)》勇者(ゆうしゃ)が魔王(まおう)に:「仲間(なかま)にだけ手(て)を出(だ)さないでください。俺(おれ)を煮(に)るなり焼(や)くなり好(す)きしていい!」
A novel, Hero to Demon King: “Please don’t lay a hand on my friends! Instead, you can do whatever you like to me!” [lit. boil me or grill me]
[An idiomatic expression meaning “to handle (something) however someone likes.” (lit. “boiled or grilled”) Often used as 煮るなり焼くなり好きにする. It can be also used more literally: この魚は煮るなり焼くなりして食べてください。, but this is not as common]
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《怒(おこ)った親(おや)が子供(こども)に》部屋(へや)漫画(まんが)本(ぼん)だらけにしないで!読(よ)まないものは売(う)るなり捨(す)てるなりして片(かた)づけなさい!」
Angry parent to a child: “Don’t scatter the manga all over the room! Either sell or throw away the things you don’t read!
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《父親(ちちおや)は娘(むすめ)に》「孤独(こどく)を感(かん)じていたのなら、俺(おれ)になり母(かあ)さんなり電話(でんわ)くれればよかったのに。」
Father to daughter: “If you were feeling lonely, you should have called me or mom…”
[While なり~なり is not generally used with the predicate in the past tense, ばよかった is an exception]
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Try N1
Page 42
Shin Kanzen Master N1 Bunpou
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Sou Matome Bunpou N1
Page 30
A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar
Page 223