【JLPT N1 Grammar Point 13 】

The grammar ～なり expresses that one action happens immediately after another, often highlighting an instinctive or quick reaction. It’s a formal and literary alternative to ～とすぐに or ～や否や.

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🌟 ～なり

Meaning:

• As soon as…
• Immediately upon…
• The moment…

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🔧 Grammar Structure

Verb (dictionary form) + なり + [second action]

📌 The subject of both actions is usually the same.

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✅ Example Sentences

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1. 彼は部屋に入るなり、大声で叫んだ。

(He shouted loudly the moment he entered the room.)

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2. 電話が鳴るなり、彼女はすぐに出た。

(As soon as the phone rang, she answered immediately.)

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3. 子供はお菓子を見るなり、手を伸ばした。

(The child reached out the moment he saw the candy.)

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4. 社長は説明を始めるなり、参加者はメモを取り始めた。

(As soon as the president started explaining, the participants began taking notes.)

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🧠 Nuance and Usage

• Similar to ～が早いか and ～や否や, but ～なり is more literary and formal.
• Emphasizes immediate, often involuntary reaction.
• The second action is often unexpected or instinctive.

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🔄 Related Grammar

Grammar	Meaning	Notes
～が早いか	As soon as	Formal, literary
～や否や	As soon as	Very formal, literary
～なり	As soon as	Formal, literary, instant reaction
～とたんに	Just when	Can imply sudden change

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✍️ Practice Challenge

Translate into Japanese using ～なり:

1. As soon as he arrived home, he took off his shoes.
2. The baby cried the moment it saw its mother.
3. She started laughing immediately after hearing the joke.
4. The student stood up the moment the teacher entered.

🧠 (Answers below!)

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🏁 Summary

Grammar Point	～なり
Meaning	As soon as / immediately upon
Form	Verb (dictionary form) + なり
Use	Formal, literary, immediate reactions
Context	Writing, speeches, reports

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✅ Practice Answers

1. 彼は家に着くなり、靴を脱いだ。
2. 赤ちゃんは母親を見るなり、泣き出した。
3. 彼女は冗談を聞くなり、笑い出した。
4. 生徒は先生が入るなり、立ち上がった。

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📘 Coming Next: ～に至るまで – Expressing “up to (a point), including everything,” often in comprehensive descriptions.