In one's own way: 〜なりに／〜なりの
名詞・普通形 + なりに／なりの + 名詞
X なりに／なりの = “in one's own way, in X's own measure”: acknowledging limits while recognising the effort. Modest about oneself, never about a superior.
In short
〜なりに means “in one's own way, as far as one can”: X has limited abilities or a limited viewpoint, but does what they can at their level. なりの + noun describes a noun (“one's own…”). The construction carries a nuance of modesty or indulgence. それなりに = “more or less, reasonably”. Everyday and written register.
- 子どもなりに、親のことを心配しているのだ。こどもなりに、おやのことをしんぱいしているのだ。In his own childlike way, he worries about his parents.
- 私なりに精一杯努力したつもりです。わたしなりにせいいっぱいどりょくしたつもりです。I believe I did my best, in my own way.
- 値段が高い店には、それなりの理由がある。ねだんがたかいみせには、それなりのりゆうがある。Expensive shops have their reasons for being expensive.
The basics
なり here refers to “the measure, the particular way” of something. X なりに = “within X's limits, as far as X can”. You acknowledge that X has limits (a child, a beginner, oneself), while recognising X's effort or particular logic.
It's a modest construction when talking about yourself (私なりに) and a kindly one when talking about someone younger or weaker.
He thought it through as hard as he could, in his own childlike way.
- noun
- grammatical form
- other
- verb
- 子どもなりに一生懸命考えた。こどもなりにいっしょうけんめいかんがえた。He thought it through as hard as he could, in his own childlike way.
- 新人は新人なりに、職場に貢献しようとしている。しんじんはしんじんなりに、しょくばにこうけんしようとしている。Newcomers, at their own level, are trying to contribute to the workplace.
How to form it
なり goes after a noun (without の or だ) or a plain form. For a な-adjective, keep the stem (下手なりに). なりに modifies a verb, なりの modifies a noun.
| Before | Construction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| noun | noun + なりに／なりの | 私なりに, 彼なりの考え |
| い-adjective | plain form + なりに | 狭いなりに, 安いなりの |
| な-adjective | stem + なりに | 下手なりに |
| verb | plain form + なりに | わからないなりに |
| fixed | それなりに／それなりの | それなりの結果 |
- 下手なりに、毎日楽しく絵を描いている。へたなりに、まいにちたのしくえをかいている。I'm not much good, but I enjoy drawing every day.
- わからないなりに、最後まで説明を聞いた。わからないなりに、さいごまでせつめいをきいた。Even without understanding it all, I listened to the explanation right to the end.
Modesty and politeness
Because なりに implies limits, it isn't used about a superior: “先生なりに” would suggest the teacher isn't very capable. On the other hand, 私なりに is a very common formula of modesty, and それなりに means “decently, to a reasonable level”.
- 準備にはそれなりに時間がかかった。じゅんびにはそれなりにじかんがかかった。The preparations took a fair amount of time, as you'd expect.
なりに, らしく, として, ならでは
らしく says “in line with the typical image of X” (子どもらしく遊ぶ: play as a child should). として says “in the capacity of”. ならでは celebrates what only X has. なりに, for its part, acknowledges limits and says “as best one can”.
| Form | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 子どもなりに | in one's own measure, despite limits | 子どもなりに考えた |
| 子どもらしく | like a typical child | 子どもらしく遊ぶ |
| 子どもとして | as a child (role) | 子どもとして親を支える |
| 子どもならではの | unique to children (praise) | 子どもならではの発想 |
- 子どもならではの自由な発想に驚かされた。こどもならではのじゆうなはっそうにおどろかされた。I was amazed by the free-flowing imagination only children have.
Common mistakes
- Saying 先生なりに or 社長なりの考え in front of the person concerned: the nuance “despite their limits” becomes insulting.
- Putting の between the noun and なり: you say 私なりに, not “私のなりに”.
- Confusing it with らしく: らしく refers to the typical image, なりに to limited means.
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 Kyūshū Line (Values and society) of the Shinkansen.