〜なり

Meaning

This grammar pattern is often used with past tense in the overall sentence. 「なり」is used when one action occurs immediately after another. It is frequently used to express surprise at an unexpected event or someone's sudden behavior.

Formation

Examples

1. 娘は学校から帰るなり、ただいまも言わないで自分の部屋に入っていった。
   The moment my daughter came home from school, she went straight to her room without even saying "I'm home."

2. 父はソファに寝ころがるなり、いびきをかいて眠りはじめた。
   As soon as my father lay down on the sofa, he started snoring and fell asleep.

3. 部長は部屋に入るなり、内山さんを怒鳴り散らした。
   The moment the department manager entered the room, he started yelling at Uchiyama-san.

4. その女の子はアイスを落とすなり泣き出した。
   The girl dropped her ice cream and immediately burst into tears.

Summary

• 「〜なり」means "as soon as" or "the moment"
• Attaches to the dictionary form of verbs
• This is an N1-level grammar pattern often used to express surprise at sudden actions