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As soon as; the moment that
Definition
The grammar pattern "V-辞書形 + なり" is used to indicate that immediately after an action occurs, another action follows. This pattern is often used to convey a sense of suddenness or unexpectedness. The subject of the sentence typically remains the same, and the second action is often a reaction to the first action. This pattern is commonly used to describe a chain of events that occur in quick succession.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-基本形 | V-基本形 + なり | 歩く + なり |
| V-一段活用 | V-一段活用 + なり | 見る + なり |
| V-五段活用 | V-五段活用 + なり | 食べる + なり |
Examples
彼は部屋に入る ______、コートも脱がずにベッドに倒れ込んだ。
Kare wa heya ni hairu ______, kōto mo nagazu ni beddo ni taorekonda.
He entered the room ______, and fell onto the bed without taking off his coat.
彼は部屋に入る (he entered the room) + なり (as soon as) + コートも脱がずにベッドに倒れ込んだ (he fell onto the bed without taking off his coat)
知らせを聞く ______、彼女は泣き出してしまった。
Shirase o kiku ______, kanojo wa nakidashite shimatta.
She burst into tears ______ she heard the news.
知らせを聞く (she heard the news) + なり (as soon as) + 泣き出してしまった (she burst into tears)
泥棒は警官の姿を見る ______、逃げ出した。
Dorobō wa keikan no sugata o miru ______, nigedashita.
The thief saw the police officer ______ and ran away.
泥棒は警官の姿を見る (the thief saw the police officer) + なり (as soon as) + 逃げ出した (he ran away)
彼女は電話を受ける ______、泣き出してしまった。
Kanojo wa denwa o ukeru ______, nakidashite shimatta.
She burst into tears ______ she received the phone call.
彼女は電話を受ける (she received the phone call) + なり (as soon as) + 泣き出してしまった (she burst into tears)
彼は車を運転する ______、事故にあってしまった。
Kare wa kuruma o untensuru ______, jiko ni atta.
He was in an accident ______ he was driving the car.
彼は車を運転する (he was driving the car) + なり (as soon as) + 事故にあってしまった (he was in an accident)
Context
This pattern is used to describe a chain of events that occur in quick succession. It is often used to convey a sense of suddenness or unexpectedness. The subject of the sentence typically remains the same, and the second action is often a reaction to the first action. This pattern is commonly used in informal writing and speech.
Watch out
The dictionary form of the verb is required to use this pattern. Using the past tense will result in a different meaning.
'nari... nari' (A or B) is a different pattern that indicates a choice between two options. This pattern is used to indicate a chain of events.
'totan ni' (which can have different subjects) is a different pattern that indicates a condition or a reason. This pattern is used to indicate a chain of events.
Strategy
Pay attention to the dictionary form of the verb and the subject of the sentence. This pattern is commonly used in informal writing and speech, so be prepared to see it in a variety of contexts.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N2 test-style questions. Each sentence shows V-辞書形 + なり used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
彼は部屋に入る なり、コートも脱がずにベッドに倒れ込んだ。
Pattern used: なり
'V-nari' expresses a sudden action immediately following another by the same person.
知らせを聞く なり、彼女は泣き出してしまった。
Pattern used: なり
Describes the immediate and emotional reaction to the news.
泥棒は警官の姿を見る なり、逃げ出した。
Pattern used: なり
Emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the thief's escape.
Interactive
彼は部屋に入る ______、コートも脱がずにベッドに倒れ込んだ。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.