Topic N1
Japanese Learning
32. なり : As soon as... / Right after....
✏️Structure
V-ru + なり💡Usage
Describes an action that happens immediately after another, often with an element of surprise.
📚Examples
彼は私を見るなり、逃げ出した。
Kare wa watashi wo miru nari, nigedashita.
As soon as he saw me, he ran away.
そのニュースを聞くなり、彼女は泣き崩れた。
Sono nyuusu wo kiku nari, kanojo wa nakikuzureta.
Right after hearing the news, she broke down in tears.
家に帰るなり、冷蔵庫を開けた。
Ie ni kaeru nari, reizouko wo aketa.
As soon as I got home, I opened the refrigerator.
メールを読むなり、彼は電話をかけ始めた。
Meeru wo yomu nari, kare wa denwa wo kakehajimeta.
Immediately after reading the email, he started making a phone call.
薬を飲むなり、眠ってしまった。
Kusuri wo nomu nari, nemutte shimatta.
As soon as I took the medicine, I fell asleep.
犯人の顔を見るなり、目撃者は震え出した。
Hannin no kao wo miru nari, mokugekisha wa furuedashita.
As soon as the witness saw the culprit's face, they started trembling.
合図のベルが鳴るなり、選手たちは一斉に走り出した。
Aizu no beru ga narunari, senshutachi wa issei ni hashiridashita.
As soon as the signal bell rang, the athletes all started running at once.
その手紙を読むなり、真っ赤な顔をして怒り出した。
Sono tegami wo yomunari, makka na kao wo shite okoridashita.
As soon as he read the letter, his face turned red and he got angry.
赤ちゃんは母親の顔を見るなり、泣き止んだ。
Akachan wa hahaoya no kao wo miru nari, nakiyanda.
The baby stopped crying as soon as they saw their mother's face.
合格の知らせを受け取るなり、飛び上がって喜んだ。
Goukaku no shirase wo uketoru nari, tobiagatte yorokonda.
As soon as I received the passing notification, I jumped for joy.