〜なり — As soon as

Level: N1 · Module: Grammar Patterns · 0 practice questions

An immediate action after another

Explanation

〜なり means "as soon as (someone) ~". Form: [dictionary form] + なり. The second clause is usually an unexpected action.

Usage: Means "as soon as", but the following action is usually unexpected or involuntary. It is common in narratives.

Formation: Verb dictionary form + なり.

Usage & nuance: 〜なり says that as soon as the subject did one thing, they immediately did another that was not expected.

Compare: 〜なり and 〜が早いか both mean as soon as, 〜とたんに stresses the moment, and 〜てすぐに is the plain everyday version.

हिंदी में समझें

〜なり का मतलब "जैसे ही ~"। रूप: [शब्दकोश रूप] + なり।

Examples

  • かれは、いえにかえるなり、ねてしまった。 (Kare wa, ie ni kaeru nari, nete shimatta.)
    हिंदी: वह घर लौटते ही सो गया।
    English: As soon as he got home, he fell asleep.
  • でんわをきくなり、かのじょはないてしまった。 (Denwa o kiku nari, kanojo wa naite shimatta.)
    हिंदी: फ़ोन सुनते ही वह रो पड़ी।
    English: As soon as she heard the phone call, she burst into tears.
  • 彼は席に座るなり、居眠りを始めた。 (Kare wa seki ni suwaru nari, inemuri o hajimeta.)
    हिंदी: वह सीट पर बैठते ही ऊँघने लगा।
    English: As soon as he sat down, he started dozing off.
  • 子供は家に帰るなり、テレビをつけた。 (Kodomo wa ie ni kaeru nari, terebi o tsuketa.)
    हिंदी: बच्चे घर लौटते ही टीवी चालू कर दिए।
    English: The child turned on the TV as soon as he got home.

Common mistakes

  • Using it with a deliberate plan → なり usually precedes an involuntary action — Nuance.

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