なり～なり means [A] or [B] or something; for instance. It is a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar pattern used to list two or more alternatives while leaving the door open for other possibilities — the speaker is suggesting options rather than giving an exhaustive list.
This grammar point often appears in polite suggestions, written instructions, and formal conversation. If you want to offer choices in a way that feels open and non‑pushy, なり～なり is a precise tool that adds natural sophistication to your Japanese.
What does なり～なり mean?
Use なり～なり when you want to list two (or more) examples as possibilities, often with the nuance of “or something like that”. It doesn’t close the set; it invites the listener to think of other, similar alternatives.
Natural translations include:
- A or B or something; for instance; …or the like; either A or B
The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the speaker’s intention first — are they giving a suggestion, softening a command, or keeping options flexible? — then choose the English that fits.
How to form なり～なり
The pattern can attach to nouns, dictionary-form verbs, and occasionally plain-form adjectives. Two instances of なり are placed after two parallel items.
Note that the two items must be grammatically parallel — both nouns, both verbs, etc. You can also chain more than two, but two is the most common.
Examples of the pattern:
- コーヒーなり紅茶なり
- 行くなり休むなり
- 電話なりメールなり
On the JLPT, distractors often try to use the single-use なり (“as soon as”) or attach なり to the wrong form. Make sure the items before each なり are simple nouns or plain-form predicates.
When is なり～なり used?
Use なり～なり in situations like:
- politely offering choices or making a suggestion
- softening an imperative by leaving the method up to the listener
- describing a loose range of examples rather than an exact list
- expressing a neutral, sometimes slightly formal tone
Tone and register:
- neutral to formal; very common in business e‑mails, instructions, and gentle suggestions
- less common in very casual buddy talk — there とか or か feels more natural.
You’ll also see it in written explanations and official notices where the writer wants to sound accommodating.
なり～なり example sentences
わからないことがあれば、先生なり先輩なりに聞いてください。
If there’s something you don’t understand, ask a teacher, a senior student, or someone like that.
Suggestion
今日中に返事がほしいなら、電話なりメールなりで知らせてください。
If you need a reply today, let me know by phone, e‑mail, or whatever is convenient.
Business
暑いなら、エアコンをつけるなり窓を開けるなりしたらどうですか。
If it’s hot, why not turn on the air conditioner or open a window — or do something like that?
Suggestion
休みたいなら、上司に相談するなり、有給を取るなり、早めに計画を立てましょう。
If you want to rest, consult your boss, take paid leave, or plan ahead in some way.
Formal
料理が苦手なら、外食なり出前なりすればいいじゃない。
If you’re not good at cooking, why not eat out, order delivery, or something like that?
Casual
資料に不備があるときは、修正するなり差し替えるなり、担当者が対応してください。
When there is a flaw in the materials, the person in charge should correct it, replace it, or take a similar measure.
Instruction
After reading each sentence, ask what job なり～なり is doing: offering a loose menu of options rather than setting a closed set. That makes the nuance stick better than a one‑word translation.
Nuance of なり～なり
The key nuance is leaving the door open. Unlike a plain “A or B”, なり～なり signals that the speaker is merely giving typical examples and the listener is free to pick something else that fits the same category.
This matters because learners sometimes treat it as a simple “or” and end up sounding like they are issuing a rigid ultimatum. In reality, the pattern softens the speaker’s stance and makes suggestions feel more considerate.
Other subtle points:
- It never carries a negative aftertone — it’s inherently helpful.
- Using more than two items (A なり B なり C なり) is possible, but two is the most common and natural.
- Compared with the single なり (which can mean “as soon as” or “in one’s own way”), the repeated なり～なり always signals listing alternatives.
なり～なり vs とか～とか
Both なり～なり and とか～とか list examples, but their nuance and register differ.
なり～なり:
- implies “or something like that”; the list is suggestive, not exhaustive
- tone is neutral to formal, often used in polite offers and instructions
- leaves the choice to the listener
とか～とか:
- casual listing; can feel like “and things like that”
- used in everyday chatter, but can sound too vague or lazy in formal settings
- does not carry the “do choose one” nuance
Quick contrast examples:
- コーヒーなり紅茶なり、お好きなものをどうぞ。 (Please have coffee, tea, or whatever you like — polite, open.)
- コーヒーとか紅茶とか、いろいろ飲んだよ。 (I drank coffee, tea, and that kind of stuff — casual, just recounting.)
If both patterns seem grammatically possible, check the register. A business e‑mail that says 「電話とかメールとかで」 can feel sloppy, while 「電話なりメールなりで」 sounds appropriately accommodating.
Common mistakes with なり～なり
Watch out for these mistakes:
The pattern uses a bare なり after each item; don’t insert commas or particles like を.
When pairing with verbs, use the dictionary form before each なり. Don’t mix a noun with a verb.
Don’t replace the second なり with a similar particle or conditional. The pair must match.
Is なり～なり on the JLPT?
なり～なり is regularly tested at the N1 level. You’re expected not only to recognize it but also to choose it over similar listing expressions based on register and nuance.
On the test you should:
- Quickly spot the double‑なり pattern in reading passages
- Understand that it suggests an open list, not a closed choice
- Select the correct particle or auxiliary in gap‑fill questions
- Distinguish it from なり (“as soon as”) in grammar‑choice sections
Many N1 mock exams include a sentence where なり～なり competes with か～か or やら～やら. The key clue is often the polite, suggestion‑heavy context.
Practice questions for なり～なり
Give a friend a flexible suggestion on where to meet tomorrow. Use なり～なり with two locations.
SuggestionWrite a polite business message asking a client to contact you by phone or e‑mail — or whatever is easy for them.
FormalExplain to a junior colleague what to do when they make a mistake. Use two actions connected with なり～なり.
InstructionThink of a situation where なり～なり would be inappropriate. Write that sentence, then rewrite it with とか～とか and explain why the tone shifts.
CompareUse なり～なり with one noun and one verb that describe two ways to spend a free afternoon.
MixKeep early answers short. Once the rhythm of the double‑なり feels automatic, you’ll naturally produce the open, accommodating nuance.
Learning path for なり～なり
Memorise the formation: noun/verb plain + なり + noun/verb plain + なり. Write it out without looking until the structure feels solid.
Read the example sentences aloud, paying attention to the why behind each usage — suggestion, polite offer, instruction.
Do a compare‑and‑contrast drill: take one situation and write it with なり～なり, then with とか～とか. Note when the first sounds too stiff or the second too sloppy.
Push yourself to use the pattern in a live situation — an e‑mail to a language partner, a comment in a Japanese forum, or a spoken shadowing exercise.
Review related points below to see how なり behaves in other grammar patterns. This will sharpen your ability to choose the right tool at JLPT speed.
Related grammar to review next
- なり — because it introduces the single‑use なり (“as soon as”, “in one’s own way”), which often gets confused with the listing pair
- なりに／なりの — because it shows how なり builds the idea of “in one’s own way”, deepening your feeling for the word
- なりとも — because it attaches a minimising nuance (“even just …”) to a suggestion, which pairs well with the open‑choice feel of なり～なり
- ならいざしらず／はいざしらず — because it’s another N1 pattern that sets up a conditional exception, often seen in similar formal contexts
Learn なり～なり with Hane
If you want to review なり～なり together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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FAQ about なり～なり
What does なり～なり mean in Japanese?
なり～なり means “[A] or [B] or something; for instance ~” in Japanese. It is an N1 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is なり～なり on the JLPT?
なり～なり is taught as N1 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N1 patterns.
How should I practice なり～なり?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after なり～なり, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.