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    Vるなり (as soon as V)

    Grammar & Usage

    conjunctive particle
    formal / literary

    How it works

    Attaches to the dictionary form (plain non-past form) of a verb to express that the second action occurs immediately after the first. It often describes unexpected, reflexive, or habitual consecutive actions usually performed by a third person. The subsequent clause cannot express requests, commands, or speaker's volitional plans.

    Sample sentences

    彼は家に帰るなり、ベッドに倒れ込んで眠ってしまった。

    As soon as he got home, he collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.

    先生の顔を見るなり、子どもたちは一斉に静かになった。

    The moment they saw the teacher's face, the children all went quiet at once.

    彼女は電話を切るなり、泣き崩れてしまった。

    As soon as she hung up the phone, she broke down in tears.

    Quick facts

    verb_form:Verb dictionary form (辞書形)
    jlpt_level:N1
    subject_constraint:Usually used with third-person subjects; both clauses typically share the same subject.

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    彼は家に帰るなり、ベッドに倒れ込んで眠ってしまった。

    As soon as he got home, he collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.

    先生の顔を見るなり、子どもたちは一斉に静かになった。

    The moment they saw the teacher's face, the children all went quiet at once.

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