N1 Time, Timing, and Transition

~なり: meaning, usage and examples

~なり means: as soon as... (unexpected/immediate next action).

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

Examples

1. 夫おっとは家いえに帰かえるなり、靴くつも脱ぬがずにベッドに倒たおれ込こんだ。

   As soon as my husband got home, he collapsed on the bed without even taking off his shoes.

2. 警察官けいさつかんの姿すがたを見みるなり、その男おとこは走はしり出だした。

   The moment he saw the police officer, the man started running.

3. 山田やまださんは部屋へやに入はいってくるなり、窓まどを全部ぜんぶ開あけた。

   As soon as Ms. Yamada came into the room, she opened all the windows.

4. 父ちちは手紙てがみを読よむなり、黙だまって外そとへ出でて行いった。

   The moment my father read the letter, he went outside without a word.

When to use it

Says that right after doing A, the same person did B, and B is often sudden, unusual or unexpected. Example: 彼かれは部屋へやに入はいるなり、大声おおごえで笑わらい出だした (the moment he walked in, he burst out laughing). Used in stories and written accounts to describe someone's striking reaction.

Nuance

Both clauses share the same subject, usually a third person; it is rarely used for the speaker's own actions. The second clause is a past fact, never a request, order or intention. Neutral to written in register. Do not confuse with なり〜なり ("either A or B").

Compare

や否いなや and が早はやいか also mean "as soon as" but allow two different subjects (ドアが開あくや否いなや、客きゃくが入はいった). なり keeps one subject and stresses an unexpected action. Everyday equivalent: たとたん, which also works for accidents (立たったとたん、めまいがした). Avoid なり there.

Tip: Check the subject: if one person does both actions and the second is surprising, なり fits. Two subjects means や否いなや or が早はやいか.