〜なり
nari
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
as soon as …; the moment …
Vるなり describes a third person doing something unexpected the moment after another action: 家に帰るなり、部屋に閉じこもった. It follows the dictionary form only, the subject is the same in both clauses, and the second clause reports a past, often surprising action.
書き言葉 and narrative speech. Not used for the speaker's own actions or for future plans.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Vる + なり + past action (same subject, third person)Not: Vたなり (that is a different pattern meaning "remained in that state")
Visual diagram
| Aspect | subject | second clause | example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜なり | third person, same in both clauses | unexpected past action | 帰るなり寝てしまった |
| 〜や否や | any | instant follow-up, any subject | 着くや否や雨が降り出した |
| 〜が早いか | usually same | fast deliberate action | 鳴るが早いか飛び出した |
| 〜そばから | any | undone repeatedly | 片付けるそばから散らかす |
Natural examples
彼は家に帰るなり、自分の部屋に閉じこもってしまった。
かれはいえにかえるなり、じぶんのへやにとじこもってしまった。
As soon as he got home, he shut himself in his room.
Same subject, unexpected reaction (shut himself in).
その知らせを聞くなり、母は泣き崩れた。
そのしらせをきくなり、はははなきくずれた。
The moment she heard the news, my mother broke down in tears.
Mother's sudden reaction on hearing the news.
社長は部屋に入るなり、怒鳴り始めた。
しゃちょうはへやにはいるなり、どなりはじめた。
The president started shouting the moment he entered the room.
The president's immediate shouting.
彼女は私の顔を見るなり、泣き出した。
かのじょはわたしのかおをみるなり、なきだした。
The moment she saw my face, she burst into tears.
Sudden emotional reaction.
息子はケーキを受け取るなり、一口で食べてしまった。
むすこはケーキをうけとるなり、ひとくちでたべてしまった。
As soon as my son received the cake, he ate it in one bite.
A surprising action by a third person.
Similar grammar and the difference
Any subject and any following event; なり requires the same third-person subject. Compare side by side
Emphasises speed; the second action is deliberate. Compare side by side
Different pattern: "either … or …" listing options. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 帰ったなり、部屋に閉じこもった。
- ✓
- 帰るなり、部屋に閉じこもった。
- Why
- なり (as soon as) follows the dictionary form; Vたなり means "and remained so".
- ✗
- 私は家に帰るなり、寝てしまった。
- ✓
- 彼は家に帰るなり、寝てしまった。
- Why
- The subject is a third person whose action the speaker observes.
- ✗
- 駅に着くなり、電話が鳴った。
- ✓
- 駅に着くや否や、電話が鳴った。
- Why
- A different subject in the second clause takes や否や.
The second clause is often surprising or abrupt: 泣き出す, 怒鳴る, 閉じこもる, 飛び出す. Vたなり(で) = "having done V and staying that way": 座ったなり動かない. Not used with commands, requests or the future.
JLPT N1 tips
On the exam
- Dictionary form + blank + a past surprising action by the same third person → なり.
- If the second subject differs, choose や否や; if the action repeats, そばから.
- Vたなり is a trap: check the verb form before the blank.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜なり mean?
as soon as …; the moment …. Vるなり describes a third person doing something unexpected the moment after another action: 家に帰るなり、部屋に閉じこもった. It follows the dictionary form only, the subject is the same in both clauses, and the second clause reports a past, often surprising action.
How do you form 〜なり?
Vる + なり + past action (same subject, third person) / Not: Vたなり (that is a different pattern meaning "remained in that state"). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜なり used?
書き言葉 and narrative speech. Not used for the speaker's own actions or for future plans.
What is the difference between 〜なり and 〜や否や?
Any subject and any following event; なり requires the same third-person subject.
What is the difference between 〜なり and 〜が早いか?
Emphasises speed; the second action is deliberate.
What is a common mistake with 〜なり?
Wrong: 帰ったなり、部屋に閉じこもった。 Right: 帰るなり、部屋に閉じこもった。 なり (as soon as) follows the dictionary form; Vたなり means "and remained so".
Quick check
彼は教室に入る（ ）、大声で叫び始めた。