# なり: as soon as; right after ~

> Learn how to use なり, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning as soon as or right after, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-nari/

**なり** means **as soon as; right after ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to emphasize that the moment one action occurs, another follows immediately — often with a sense of surprise, urgency, or automatic reaction.

This grammar point appears in literary narratives, essays, and formal speech, and occasionally in dramatic everyday conversation. If you want to convey that something happened without a moment’s hesitation, **なり** is a sharp, precise tool to have in your toolkit.

<div class="pullquote">One action barely finishes before the next begins — that’s the punch of なり.</div>

## What does なり mean?

Use **なり** when you want to show that **as soon as one action takes place, another action happens right away**, with virtually no gap. The second action is often an instinctive or immediate response, and the whole sentence carries a nuance of speed or lack of delay.

Natural translations include:
- as soon as
- right after
- the moment that ~
- no sooner than ~

The best translation depends on the sentence. Notice the vivid, almost cinematic feel — the second clause often surprises or reveals a quick reaction. In English, you might choose “the moment he arrived, he…” or “she had barely finished speaking when…”.

## How to form なり

Attach **なり** directly to the **dictionary form (<ruby>辞書<rp>(</rp><rt>じしょ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>形<rp>(</rp><rt>けい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>)** of a verb. There is no tense change and no additional particle between the verb and なり — the pattern remains constant regardless of the overall tense of the sentence.

<div class="formation">
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken"><span class="t-core">V (dictionary form)</span></span>
    <span class="fplus">＋</span>
    <span class="ftoken"><span class="t-core">なり</span></span>
  </div>
</div>

Examples of the pattern:
- <ruby>着く<rp>(</rp><rt>つく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なり
- <ruby>見る<rp>(</rp><rt>みる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なり
- <ruby>聞く<rp>(</rp><rt>きく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なり
- <ruby>帰る<rp>(</rp><rt>かえる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なり
- <ruby>始める<rp>(</rp><rt>はじめる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なり

The following clause uses the tense appropriate to the overall meaning. If the whole event is in the past, the second verb takes the past tense; if it’s a hypothetical or general statement, the non-past is used.

Important: the subject of both actions is usually the same person (or closely related). When the subject changes unexpectedly, the sentence can feel unnatural; なり works best when the same actor performs both the trigger action and the immediate follow-up.

## When is なり used?

Use **なり** in situations like:
- Narrating a story where a character reacts instantly to a new situation
- Expressing surprise at how quickly someone acted
- Describing a sudden, unhesitating response (e.g., as soon as the boss left, everyone relaxed)
- Conveying that an action was nearly simultaneous with its trigger

Tone and register:
- Slightly formal, literary, but not stiff — common in written Japanese (novels, articles, essays)
- In spoken Japanese, it adds dramatic emphasis and is used in anecdotes
- Not typically used for mundane habitual actions (see nuance below)

## なり example sentences

<div class="examples">
<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>家<rt>いえ</rt></ruby>に<ruby>着<rt>つ</rt></ruby>くなり<ruby>鞄<rt>かばん</rt></ruby>を<ruby>置<rt>お</rt></ruby>いて、すぐに<ruby>出<rt>で</rt></ruby>かけた。</div>
<div class="example-en">As soon as he got home, he put down his bag and immediately went out again.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">quick action</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>母<rt>はは</rt></ruby>は<ruby>私<rt>わたし</rt></ruby>の<ruby>顔<rt>かお</rt></ruby>を<ruby>見<rt>み</rt></ruby>るなり、<ruby>泣<rt>な</rt></ruby>き<ruby>出<rt>だ</rt></ruby>した。</div>
<div class="example-en">My mother burst into tears the moment she saw my face.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">emotional reaction</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>会議<rt>かいぎ</rt></ruby>が<ruby>終<rt>お</rt></ruby>わるなり、<ruby>皆<rt>みな</rt></ruby><ruby>席<rt>せき</rt></ruby>を<ruby>立<rt>た</rt></ruby>った。</div>
<div class="example-en">As soon as the meeting ended, everyone stood up.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">simultaneous action</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>電車<rt>でんしゃ</rt></ruby>に<ruby>乗<rt>の</rt></ruby>るなり、<ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>本<rt>ほん</rt></ruby>を<ruby>読<rt>よ</rt></ruby>み<ruby>始<rt>はじ</rt></ruby>めた。</div>
<div class="example-en">As soon as he got on the train, he started reading a book.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">habitual for an instance</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>弟<rt>おとうと</rt></ruby>は<ruby>帰<rt>かえ</rt></ruby>ってくるなり、ゲームを<ruby>始<rt>はじ</rt></ruby>めた。</div>
<div class="example-en">My younger brother started playing video games the moment he came home.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">casual narrative</span></div>
</div>
</div>

After reading each sentence, ask yourself what effect なり creates — a sense of no delay, an almost impulsive reaction. That’s more memorable than a one-word translation.

## Nuance of なり

The core nuance is **immediacy and a lack of hesitation**. なり paints a picture of an action that happens automatically, almost reflexively, the very instant the condition is met. Unlike many other “as soon as” patterns, なり is usually reserved for a **specific, one-off event**, not a repeating routine.

<div class="note-callout">
  <div class="note-icon">💡</div>
  <div class="note-body">
    <strong>Not for habits.</strong> If you want to say “as soon as I wake up, I check my phone” as a daily routine, なり is not natural. Use <strong>〜たらすぐに</strong> or <strong>〜とすぐに</strong> instead.
  </div>
</div>

This is important because learners often extend the “immediate” meaning to any quick sequence. なり implies that the reaction is almost surprising, or that the situation was set up precisely for that instant response. A sentence like “<ruby>朝<rp>(</rp><rt>あさ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>起きる<rp>(</rp><rt>おきる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なり、コーヒーを<ruby>飲む<rp>(</rp><rt>のむ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>” sounds as if you are describing a dramatic, one-time event — not a morning routine. Use なり when the immediacy is the point of the story.

## なり vs 〜や<ruby>否<rp>(</rp><rt>いな</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や

Both **なり** and **〜や<ruby>否<rp>(</rp><rt>いな</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や** (ya ina ya) express that one action follows another without delay, and both are N1-level, literary patterns. However, their nuances and usage environments differ.

<div class="compare">
<div class="cmp">
<div class="a">
<div class="cmp-head">なり</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">Immediate reaction of the same subject; vivid and slightly emphatic</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Used when the same person or tightly connected entity performs both actions. The second action often feels impulsive or automatic. Suitable for both written and spoken dramatic narratives.</div>
<div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>部屋<rp>(</rp><rt>へや</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>入る<rp>(</rp><rt>はいる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なり、<ruby>窓<rp>(</rp><rt>まど</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>開け<rp>(</rp><rt>あけ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</div>
<div class="cmp-eg-en">The moment he entered the room, he opened the window.</div>
</div>
<div class="b">
<div class="cmp-head">〜や<ruby>否<rp>(</rp><rt>いな</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">As soon as; no sooner than; strictly written, formal</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Strictly a written, formal pattern. Can be used even when the subjects of the two clauses differ, and emphasizes the instantaneous transition. Often appears in news reports or academic writing.</div>
<div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>到着<rp>(</rp><rt>とうちゃく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>するや<ruby>否<rp>(</rp><rt>いな</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や、<ruby>会議<rp>(</rp><rt>かいぎ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>始まっ<rp>(</rp><rt>はじまっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</div>
<div class="cmp-eg-en">No sooner had he arrived than the meeting began.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

If you’re telling a personal story and want to highlight the speed of your own reaction, なり feels more natural. If you’re writing a formal report about an event, や<ruby>否<rp>(</rp><rt>いな</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や might be the safer literary choice.

## Common mistakes with なり

<div class="mistakes">
<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline bad"><span class="mark bad">❌</span> <span class="mline-body"><ruby>家<rp>(</rp><rt>いえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>着い<rp>(</rp><rt>つい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>たなり、<ruby>鞄<rp>(</rp><rt>かばん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>置い<rp>(</rp><rt>おい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</span></div>
<div class="mline good"><span class="mark good">✅</span> <span class="mline-body"><ruby>家<rp>(</rp><rt>いえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>着く<rp>(</rp><rt>つく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なり、<ruby>鞄<rp>(</rp><rt>かばん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>置い<rp>(</rp><rt>おい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</span></div>
<div class="note">なり always follows the <strong>dictionary form</strong>. Never use the た-form or ます-stem.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline bad"><span class="mark bad">❌</span> <span class="mline-body"><ruby>毎朝<rp>(</rp><rt>まいあさ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>起きる<rp>(</rp><rt>おきる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なり、ジョギングに<ruby>行く<rp>(</rp><rt>いく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。</span></div>
<div class="mline good"><span class="mark good">✅</span> <span class="mline-body"><ruby>毎朝<rp>(</rp><rt>まいあさ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>起きる<rp>(</rp><rt>おきる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>とすぐに、ジョギングに<ruby>行く<rp>(</rp><rt>いく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>。</span></div>
<div class="note">Reserve なり for a <strong>specific event with immediate impact</strong>. For habitual actions, use 〜たらすぐに or 〜とすぐに.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline bad"><span class="mark bad">❌</span> <span class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>来る<rp>(</rp><rt>くる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なり、<ruby>電話<rp>(</rp><rt>でんわ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>鳴っ<rp>(</rp><rt>なっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</span></div>
<div class="mline good"><span class="mark good">✅</span> <span class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>来る<rp>(</rp><rt>くる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や<ruby>否<rp>(</rp><rt>いな</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や、<ruby>電話<rp>(</rp><rt>でんわ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>鳴っ<rp>(</rp><rt>なっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</span></div>
<div class="note">When the subject changes abruptly, なり can feel awkward. Use や<ruby>否<rp>(</rp><rt>いな</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や or が<ruby>早い<rp>(</rp><rt>はやい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>か for a smooth switch of actor.</div>
</div>
</div>

A good drill: take one of your correct なり sentences and try substituting や<ruby>否<rp>(</rp><rt>いな</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や, が<ruby>早い<rp>(</rp><rt>はやい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>か, or 〜たとたんに. Understanding why なり fits or doesn’t fit teaches you more than a list of rules.

## Is なり on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
<div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
<div class="jlpt-info">
  <p><strong>なり</strong> is a solid N1 pattern. It appears in reading comprehension passages, often as part of a list of “as soon as” constructions that test your ability to parse simultaneous or sequential actions.</p>
  <div class="jlpt-checks">
    <p><strong>Frequency:</strong> Occasional in vocabulary/grammar sections and reading. Expect to see it alongside other N1 literary patterns.</p>
  </div>
</div>
</div>

In multiple-choice questions, wrong answer choices may use the た-form or mix up なり with homophonous patterns like なりに・なりの (in one’s own way). Always confirm the context and the form of the preceding word.

## Practice questions for なり

<div class="prompts">
<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">1</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Use <strong>なり</strong> to describe what someone did the instant they entered a room.</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">immediate reaction</div>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">2</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Write a sentence where a person reacts to news without any hesitation. Make the second action surprising.</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">emotional speed</div>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">3</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Compare <strong>なり</strong> with <strong>〜たとたん（に）</strong> in a short pair of sentences. How does the nuance shift?</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">contrast</div>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
<div class="prompt-num">4</div>
<div class="prompt-text">Create a mini-narrative (2-3 sentences) that uses <strong>なり</strong>, <strong>〜や<ruby>否<rp>(</rp><rt>いな</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や</strong>, and <strong>〜が<ruby>早い<rp>(</rp><rt>はやい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>か</strong> to describe a sequence of events. Notice which pattern fits each moment best.</div>
<div class="prompt-tag">literary chain</div>
</div>
</div>

Keep your first sentences simple, then gradually layer in more context. Focus on capturing the “zero delay” feeling.

## Learning path for なり

<div class="path">
<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">1</div>
<div class="step-body">Commit the form to memory: <strong>dictionary form + なり</strong>. Practice with common verbs like <ruby>着く<rp>(</rp><rt>つく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>、<ruby>見る<rp>(</rp><rt>みる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>、<ruby>聞く<rp>(</rp><rt>きく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>、<ruby>帰る<rp>(</rp><rt>かえる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>、<ruby>始める<rp>(</rp><rt>はじめる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> until you can produce it without hesitation.</div>
</div>
<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">2</div>
<div class="step-body">Contrast なり with the basic <strong>〜たらすぐに</strong>. Write ten sentences alternating between the patterns, but only use なり when the situation is a vivid, one-time event. This builds intuition about the “not for routines” rule.</div>
</div>
<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">3</div>
<div class="step-body">Read a short story or news article and underline every “as soon as” expression. Identify which ones could be replaced with なり without sounding odd. Try rewriting a few sentences.</div>
</div>
<div class="path-step">
<div class="step-num">4</div>
<div class="step-body">Move on to the formal literary patterns: <strong>〜や<ruby>否<rp>(</rp><rt>いな</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や</strong>, <strong>〜が<ruby>早い<rp>(</rp><rt>はやい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>か</strong>, and <strong>〜そばから</strong>. Use a single situation (e.g., “arriving home”) and craft one sentence for each pattern, then explain the difference in Japanese or English.</div>
</div>
</div>

The goal is not just to recognize なり on the test — it’s to feel when this punchy, instantaneous transition belongs in your own Japanese.

## Related grammar to review next

- [なりなり](/blog/n1-nari-nari/) — a different なり used to enumerate alternatives (“such as … and …”)
- [なりに・なりの](/blog/n1-nari-ni-nari-no/) — “in one’s own way; considering who/what it is”
- [なりとも](/blog/n1-nari-tomo/) — “even if; at least”; adds a concessive tone
- [ならいざしらず・はいざしらず](/blog/n1-nara-iza-shirazu-wa-iza-shirazu/) — “I don’t know about …, but …”; a contrastive pattern that also pairs with conditionals

## Learn なり with Hane

If you want to review **なり** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese grammar in short, focused sessions. Internalize these high-level connections one pattern at a time.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)