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As soon as; right after
Definition
The grammar pattern "動詞辞書形 + なり" is used to indicate that the second action occurs immediately after the first. It often implies a surprising or slightly abnormal reaction, and the subject is usually the third person and remains the same in both clauses. This pattern is commonly used to describe a sudden or unexpected reaction to a situation.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dict form of verb | 動詞辞書形 + なり | 帰る + なり |
| Past tense of verb | 過去形 + なり | 帰った + なり |
| Potential form of verb | 可能形 + なり | 帰る + なり |
Examples
息子は帰宅する______、カバンを放り出して遊びに出かけた。
Musuko wa kaeritsuku______、kaban o nori dashite asobi ni detekakeru.
The son went out to play as soon as he came home, throwing his bag out.
息子は帰宅する______、カバンを放り出して遊びに出かけた。 (Musuko wa kaeritsuku______、kaban o nori dashite asobi ni detekakeru.)
彼女は私の顔を______なり、わっと泣き出した。
Kanojo wa watashi no kao o______nari, watto naki dasita.
She burst into tears as soon as she saw my face.
彼女は私の顔を______なり、わっと泣き出した。 (Kanojo wa watashi no kao o______nari, watto naki dasita.)
その犬は飼い主の声を聞く______、しっぽを振りながら駆け寄ってきた。
Sono inu wa kaiju no koe o kikus______、shippo o furinagara kakeri kaitaketa.
The dog ran to the owner as soon as it heard the owner's voice, wagging its tail.
その犬は飼い主の声を聞く______、しっぽを振りながら駆け寄ってきた。 (Sono inu wa kaiju no koe o kikus______、shippo o furinagara kakeri kaitaketa.)
彼はその話を聞く______、すぐに泣き出した。
Kare wa sono hanashi o kikus______、suguni naki dasita.
He burst into tears as soon as he heard that story.
彼はその話を聞く______、すぐに泣き出した。 (Kare wa sono hanashi o kikus______、suguni naki dasita.)
彼女はその映画を観る______、涙を流した。
Kanojo wa sono eiga o mirus______、namida o nagashita.
She cried as soon as she saw that movie.
彼女はその映画を観る______、涙を流した。 (Kanojo wa sono eiga o mirus______、namida o nagashita.)
Context
This pattern is used to describe a sudden or unexpected reaction to a situation. It is often used in formal writing or in situations where the speaker wants to emphasize the suddenness of the reaction. The subject is usually the third person and remains the same in both clauses.
Watch out
The pattern "動詞辞書形 + なり" is used to describe a reaction to a situation, not the speaker's own actions.
The pattern "動詞辞書形 + なり" is used to describe a reaction to a situation, not a planned future event.
The word 'nari' has multiple meanings, and the correct meaning depends on the context in which it is used.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and the subject of the sentence. The subject is usually the third person and remains the same in both clauses. Make sure to use the correct meaning of 'nari' depending on the context.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 動詞辞書形 + なり used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
息子は帰宅するなり、カバンを放り出して遊びに出かけた。
Pattern used: なり
～なり describes an immediate, often impulsive action by a third person.
彼女は私の顔を見るなり、わっと泣き出した。
Pattern used: 見る
～なり attaches to the dictionary form (辞書形) of the verb.
その犬は飼い主の声を聞くなり、しっぽを振りながら駆け寄ってきた。
Pattern used: なり
～なり is perfect for describing an immediate reaction to a stimulus.
Interactive
息子は帰宅する______、カバンを放り出して遊びに出かけた。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.