N1 Uncertainty, Hedging, and Inference

~なりに / ~なりの: meaning, usage and examples

~なりに / ~なりの means: in one's own way / in accordance with...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 私わたしなりに、一生懸命頑張いっしょうけんめいがんばったつもりです。

   I feel that I tried my best, in my own way.

2. 初心者しょしんしゃなりに、面白おもしろい文章ぶんしょうが書かけた。

   For a beginner, I managed to write a pretty interesting piece.

3. 予算よさんが少すくないなら、少すくないなりの工夫くふうをすればいい。

   If the budget is small, we just need to find ways to work within it.

4. 佐藤さとうさんは、新人しんじんなりによく考かんがえて企画きかく書しょを作つくってきた。

   For someone new, Mr. Sato put a lot of thought into the proposal he brought in.

When to use it

Means "in a way suited to," "within the limits of." It admits that something has limits, then says it still did what it could within them: 「子供こどもは子供こどもなりに考かんがえている」. Often used with 私わたしなりに to say "in my own way."

Nuance

Neutral and very common. There is a sense of modesty or of recognizing limits: as a beginner, on a small budget, in one's own way. Using it about a superior can sound condescending, so be careful.

Compare

らしい describes what is typical: 子供こどもらしい (childlike). なりに accepts limits and still gives credit: 子供こどもなりに (as best a child can). にしては shows surprise against expectations: 初心者しょしんしゃにしては上手じょうずだ. なりに is more sympathetic and less surprised.

Tip: Use なりに before a verb and なりの before a noun: 私わたしなりに考かんがえた, 私わたしなりの考かんがえ. 私わたしなりに is a modest, polite way to describe your own effort.