JLPT N1 grammar
〜なりに／〜なりの — Meaning & Examples
"In one's own way" — respectful acknowledgement of effort within limits. 子供なりに一生懸命考えた; 彼なりのペース.
〜なりに／〜なりの — "In One's Own Way"
なりに (adverbial) and なりの (attributive, + noun) acknowledge a limitation while respecting the genuine effort made within it — never dismissive, always a little admiring.
Pattern: [noun／pronoun] + なりに ／ [noun／pronoun] + なりの + [noun]
子供なりに一生懸命考えた。
= He thought hard in his own child-like way.
私なりに努力したつもりです。
= I did my best in my own way.
それぞれのやり方があり、彼なりのペースで進めている。
= Everyone has their own approach — he's proceeding at his own pace.
新人なりの視点で意見を述べた。
= She gave her opinion from a newcomer's own perspective.
Key feeling: Not "despite limits" in a negative sense, but "within these limits, genuinely trying" — a gentle, respectful acknowledgement.
Practice questions
Try this question on 〜なりに／〜なりの. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 子供なりに一生懸命考えた。 means?
- The child refused to think
- He thought hard, in his own child-like way
- Only adults can think hard
- The child was told how to think
Show answer
Answer: He thought hard, in his own child-like way
なりに = in one's own way — respects genuine effort within acknowledged limits, without being dismissive.
Practise 〜なりに／〜なりの in the free app
This point is part of the “Cause, Circumstance & Manner — ゆえ(に)・とあって・なりに(の)・ずくめ” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
Free on iPhone and Android · No ads
Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: Cause, Circumstance & Manner — ゆえ(に)・とあって・なりに(の)・ずくめ
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜なりに／〜なりの mean?
"In one's own way" — respectful acknowledgement of effort within limits. 子供なりに一生懸命考えた; 彼なりのペース.
Is 〜なりに／〜なりの on the JLPT N1 test?
〜なりに／〜なりの is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Cause, Circumstance & Manner — ゆえ(に)・とあって・なりに(の)・ずくめ”), 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 〜なりに／〜なりの?
Open the “Cause, Circumstance & Manner — ゆえ(に)・とあって・なりに(の)・ずくめ” 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.