〜なりに / 〜なりの
narini-narino
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
in one's own way; as befits …; to the extent of …
Xなりに / なりの means "in a way that fits X's level or position": 子供なりに考えている "children think in their own (child-level) way". It acknowledges limits while recognising the effort or logic appropriate to that level. 私なりに is a modest way to say "in my own way".
Both registers; common in modest self-evaluation, in understanding others' efforts, and in the fixed それなりに / それなりの ("reasonably, to a fair extent").
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + なりに + verbNoun + なりの + nounそれなりに / それなりの ("reasonable, appropriate to the situation")Plain form + なりに (忙しいなりに工夫する)
Visual diagram
- 子供はtopic
- 子供the level or position
- なりに"in a way fitting that level"
- いろいろ考えているeffort appropriate to the level
Natural examples
子供は子供なりに、いろいろ考えているものだ。
こどもはこどもなりに、いろいろかんがえているものだ。
Children think about all sorts of things in their own way.
Children think at their own level.
私なりに精一杯やったつもりです。
わたしなりにせいいっぱいやったつもりです。
I believe I did my best in my own way.
私なりに: modest self-evaluation.
彼には彼なりの考えがあるのだろう。
かれにはかれなりのかんがえがあるのだろう。
He presumably has his own way of thinking.
彼なりの + noun: his own way of thinking.
彼は忙しいなりに、家族との時間を作ろうとしている。
かれはいそがしいなりに、かぞくとのじかんをつくろうとしている。
Busy as he is, he tries to make time for his family within those limits.
Adjective + なりに: effort within limits.
安い店には安いなりの理由がある。
やすいみせにはやすいなりのりゆうがある。
A cheap shop has reasons for being cheap.
Adjective + なりの + noun.
Similar grammar and the difference
"Worthy of one's name" (名に恥じない): meeting a standard, not effort within limits. Compare side by side
"Like a typical X": 子供らしく; describes typicality, not effort within limits. Compare side by side
Different pattern: listing options. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 私なりの頑張りました。
- ✓
- 私なりに頑張りました。
- Why
- Before a verb use なりに; なりの modifies a noun.
- ✗
- 先生なりに教えていただき、ありがとうございます。
- ✓
- 先生に丁寧に教えていただき、ありがとうございます。
- Why
- なりに implies limits; applying it to a superior sounds condescending.
- ✗
- それなりに満点だった。
- ✓
- それなりにできた。
- Why
- それなりに means "reasonably, to a fair extent", so it clashes with a perfect result.
それなりに = "reasonably well"; それなりの = "appropriate, decent": それなりの値段. 私なりに is a humble hedge before stating an opinion or effort. Works with adjectives too: 狭いなりに工夫する.
JLPT N1 tips
On the exam
- Noun + blank + verb of thinking or trying → なりに; noun + blank + noun → なりの.
- The self-effacing 私なりに is a signature; do not confuse with なりとも ("at least").
- それなりに is a common vocabulary-style item meaning "reasonably".
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜なりに / 〜なりの mean?
in one's own way; as befits …; to the extent of …. Xなりに / なりの means "in a way that fits X's level or position": 子供なりに考えている "children think in their own (child-level) way". It acknowledges limits while recognising the effort or logic appropriate to that level. 私なりに is a modest way to say "in my own way".
How do you form 〜なりに / 〜なりの?
Noun + なりに + verb / Noun + なりの + noun / それなりに / それなりの ("reasonable, appropriate to the situation") / Plain form + なりに (忙しいなりに工夫する). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜なりに / 〜なりの used?
Both registers; common in modest self-evaluation, in understanding others' efforts, and in the fixed それなりに / それなりの ("reasonably, to a fair extent").
What is the difference between 〜なりに / 〜なりの and 〜に恥じない?
"Worthy of one's name" (名に恥じない): meeting a standard, not effort within limits.
What is the difference between 〜なりに / 〜なりの and 〜っぽい / 〜らしい?
"Like a typical X": 子供らしく; describes typicality, not effort within limits.
What is a common mistake with 〜なりに / 〜なりの?
Wrong: 私なりの頑張りました。 Right: 私なりに頑張りました。 Before a verb use なりに; なりの modifies a noun.
Quick check
私（ ）努力はしたつもりです。