Time and sequence

～なり

as soon as; the moment that

AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)

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How to form it

  • Verb (dictionary form) + なり

Register: Written; narrative

Explanation

Says that the instant one action happened, a surprising second action followed.

The second action is unexpected or sudden. It is in the past and is not a will, request or order.

Examples

  1. 彼は家に帰るなり、寝てしまった。

    かれはいえにかえるなり、ねてしまった。

    As soon as he got home, he fell asleep.

  2. 先生の顔を見るなり、彼女は泣き出した。

    せんせいのかおをみるなり、かのじょはなきだした。

    The moment she saw the teacher's face, she burst into tears.

  3. 部屋に入るなり、変な臭いがした。

    へやにはいるなり、へんなにおいがした。

    The moment I entered the room, there was a strange smell.

Compare with

  • ～たとたん(に): たとたん reports a sudden change observed by the speaker; なり is a narrated chain of two actions.

Common mistakes

  • Using it with a request or intention in the second half.