JLPT N1 grammar
〜なり — Meaning & Examples
"The moment X, (surprisingly) Y." Same subject does an unexpected second action, observed by the speaker. 家に帰るなり閉じこもった. Cf. 〜たなり = "still in the state of."
〜なり — "The Moment X, (Surprisingly) Y"
なり describes someone doing something UNEXPECTED immediately after another action. The surprise is baked in.
Pattern: [dictionary form] + なり
彼は家に帰るなり、部屋に閉じこもってしまった。
= The moment he got home, he shut himself in his room.
娘は私の顔を見るなり、泣き出した。
= The moment my daughter saw my face, she burst into tears.
課長はメールを読むなり、顔色を変えた。
= The instant the manager read the email, his expression changed.
Key restrictions:
- SAME subject for both clauses (one person does A, then immediately does B).
- The second action is unexpected, striking, or out of the ordinary.
- Second clause in past tense; not used about yourself in most cases — you're observing someone else.
Don't confuse with: 〜たなり ("still in the state of...": 座ったなり動かない = sat down and hasn't moved since). Different pattern, different meaning!
Key feeling: You watched someone do something and — bam — their very next move surprised you.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜なり. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which pattern expresses REPEATED "as soon as" with exasperation?
- そばから (soba kara)
- や否や (ya ina ya)
- なり (nari)
- が早いか (ga hayai ka)
Show answer
Answer: そばから (soba kara)
そばから = as soon as X, Y (undoes it) — again and again. 覚えるそばから忘れる = I forget as fast as I learn.
2. 「彼は家に帰る___、部屋に閉じこもった。」 Which fits the "surprising same-subject action"?
- そばから (soba kara)
- なり (nari)
- ばこそ (ba koso)
- すら (sura)
Show answer
Answer: なり (nari)
なり = the moment X, (surprisingly) Y — same subject, unexpected action. 帰るなり閉じこもった.
3. Which pattern is best for narrating uncontrollable reactions (e.g. a product selling out)?
- や否や (ya ina ya)
- なり (nari)
- そばから (soba kara)
- てこそ (te koso)
Show answer
Answer: や否や (ya ina ya)
や否や comfortably takes events beyond anyone's control: 発売されるや否や売り切れた = sold out as soon as it launched.
Practise 〜なり in the free app
This point is part of the “The Instant That — が早いか・や否や・なり・そばから” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: The Instant That — が早いか・や否や・なり・そばから
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜なり mean?
"The moment X, (surprisingly) Y." Same subject does an unexpected second action, observed by the speaker. 家に帰るなり閉じこもった. Cf. 〜たなり = "still in the state of."
Is 〜なり on the JLPT N1 test?
〜なり is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “The Instant That — が早いか・や否や・なり・そばから”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜なり?
Open the “The Instant That — が早いか・や否や・なり・そばから” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.