The moment (and straight away): 〜なり
動詞辞書形 + なり
Dictionary verb + なり = “the moment A, (they) did B”: same subject, an abrupt and unexpected reaction, narrative in the past.
In short
A なり B: right after A, the same person does B, an abrupt and often unexpected reaction (bursting into tears, leaving without a word, shouting). A and B have the same subject, usually a third person being observed. It relates a past fact. Written, narrative register.
- 彼女は私の顔を見るなり、泣き出した。かのじょはわたしのかおをみるなり、なきだした。The moment she saw my face, she burst into tears.
- 父は帰ってくるなり、黙って部屋にこもってしまった。ちちはかえってくるなり、だまってへやにこもってしまった。The moment he got home, my father shut himself in his room without a word.
- 彼はコーヒーを一口飲むなり、顔をしかめた。かれはコーヒーをひとくちのむなり、かおをしかめた。He grimaced at the very first sip of coffee.
The basics
なり links two actions by the same person with no gap at all: “the moment A, B”. B is a reaction that surprises the narrator: you didn't expect that action, or not so soon.
Since you're describing a reaction seen from outside, the subject is almost always someone other than yourself.
The moment she saw my face, she burst into tears.
- noun
- verb
- grammatical form
- 彼女は私の顔を見るなり泣き出した。かのじょはわたしのかおをみるなりなきだした。The moment she saw my face, she burst into tears.
- 社長は報告書を受け取るなり、ごみ箱に捨てた。しゃちょうはほうこくしょをうけとるなり、ごみばこにすてた。The moment he received the report, the CEO threw it in the bin.
How to form it
なり follows the dictionary form. Three constraints: the same subject for A and B, a past fact, and no wish or order in the second part.
| Constraint | Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| form | 見るなり | × 見たなり（different meaning） |
| same subject | 彼は座るなり寝た | × 彼が座るなり電話が鳴った |
| past fact | 〜泣き出した | × 着くなり電話してください |
- 母は玄関を開けるなり、「遅い！」と叫んだ。はははげんかんをあけるなり、「おそい！」とさけんだ。The moment she opened the front door, my mother shouted, “You're late!”
The other なり
Don't confuse it with two other uses. 〜なり〜なり offers choices (“either… or”). 〜たなり (た-form) means “since A, the state hasn't changed”: 出かけたなり帰ってこない (“he went out and never came back”).
- 電話なりメールなりで、早めに連絡してください。でんわなりメールなりで、はやめにれんらくしてください。Please let us know soon, by phone or by email.
- 兄は家を出たなり、一度も戻ってこない。あにはいえをでたなり、いちどももどってこない。My older brother left home and has never once come back.
なり, や否や, とたん, が早いか
や否や and とたん accept two different subjects (ベルが鳴るや否や生徒が…). なり, by contrast, requires a single subject and focuses on an unexpected human reaction. が早いか stresses speed.
| Form | Subjects | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 〜なり | one only | surprising reaction |
| 〜や否や | one or two | immediately, written |
| 〜たとたん | one or two | unexpected, everyday |
| 〜が早いか | one or two | speed |
- 彼が部屋に入ったとたん、電気が消えた。かれがへやにはいったとたん、でんきがきえた。The moment he entered the room, the light went out.
Common mistakes
- Changing subject between A and B: for “the moment the sky darkened, it rained”, it's や否や or とたん.
- Talking about yourself or the future: なり describes a third person's reaction in a narrative.
- Confusing it with なりに (“in one's own way”) or 〜なり〜なり (“either… or”).
7 exercises on this point
Particles to choose, sentences to put back in order, translations: marked straight away, then reviewed at the right time. This JLPT N1 point is on the Nishi-Kyūshū Line (Trade and the economy) of the Shinkansen.