[A] or [B] or something; for instance ~ (なり〜なり) – Japanese Grammar なり〜なり (nari~nari)

Q: What JLPT level is なり〜なり?

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Q: How do you use なり〜なり in a sentence?

Attach なり〜なり to the appropriate verb or noun form. [A] or [B] or something; for instance ~

Q: Is なり〜なり formal or casual Japanese?

なり〜なり is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

なり〜なり

N1 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

nari~nari

[A] or [B] or something; for instance ~

てからというもの te kara to iu mono ものを mono o に則って ni nottotte かたがた katagata に〜を重ねて ni~o kasanete いかなる ikanaru ところを tokoro o ことごとく koto gotoku にも増して nimo mashite というところだ /といったところだ to iu tokoro da / to itta tokoro da て済むことではない te sumu koto dewa nai んばかりに n bakari ni や否や ya ina ya とあれば to areba と言えなくもない to ienaku mo nai てもどうにもならない temo dou ni mo naranai かたわら katawara といえども to ie domo ごとき/ごとく/ごとし gotoki/gotoku/gotoshi ともあろうものが tomo arou mono ga てからというもの te kara to iu mono ものを mono o に則って ni nottotte かたがた katagata に〜を重ねて ni~o kasanete いかなる ikanaru ところを tokoro o ことごとく koto gotoku にも増して nimo mashite というところだ /といったところだ to iu tokoro da / to itta tokoro da て済むことではない te sumu koto dewa nai んばかりに n bakari ni や否や ya ina ya とあれば to areba と言えなくもない to ienaku mo nai てもどうにもならない temo dou ni mo naranai かたわら katawara といえども to ie domo ごとき/ごとく/ごとし gotoki/gotoku/gotoshi ともあろうものが tomo arou mono ga

🃏 Flashcard

なり〜なり

nari~nari

Tap to reveal usage

[A] or [B] or something; for instance ~

Tap to test your recall · +10 XP

📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N1

Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Reading nari~nari

Post ID 51291

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

[A] or [B] or something; for instance ~

📖 How to use it

Lists two or more options, implying 'doing something like A or B' is acceptable, often with a following suggestion or command.

Attaches to Attach なり to the dictionary form of a verb, or to a noun (no copula). The pattern is AなりBなり, where A and B are the options.

This pattern presents two or more examples as representative options, and often implies that you should do one of them, or something similar, before the main action. It's like saying 'whether it's A or B' or 'do A, do B, (whatever)'. The second なり can be repeated but usually just two are given. The main clause (after the second なり) often contains a suggestion, command, or statement of intent.

It is somewhat formal and written, but can be used in spoken Japanese when giving advice or stating a policy. Note that the verb before なり is in its dictionary form, and the noun is used directly without だ or の. This is a fixed pattern; you cannot replace なり with とか or やら in the same way.

疲れたときは、寝るなり散歩するなりして、リフレッシュしたほうがいいよ。

Tsukareta toki wa, neru nari sanpo suru nari shite, rifuresshu shita hou ga ii yo.

When you're tired, you should do something like sleeping or taking a walk to refresh yourself.

時間があるなら、映画を見るなり本を読むなり、好きなことをして過ごしてください。

Jikan ga aru nara, eiga o miru nari hon o yomu nari, suki na koto o shite sugoshite kudasai.

If you have time, please spend it doing something you like, like watching a movie or reading a book.

コーヒーなり紅茶なり、何か飲み物を注文しない？

Kouhii nari koucha nari, nanika nomimono o chuumon shinai?

Why don't you order something to drink, like coffee or tea?

Not 〜とか〜とか〜とか is casual and used for listing examples in everyday speech, while なり〜なり is more formal and often implies a choice that leads to an action. なり is not used in casual conversation as much.

Register Formal or semi-formal; found in written instructions, public announcements, and polite advice, rather than casual chat.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

なり〜なり

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat なり〜なり three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

🃏

Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using なり〜なり. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns

← Previous

なりとも

at least; even just a little

なしに / なしで

without; without doing ~

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern なり〜なり mean? ▼

[A] or [B] or something; for instance ~

What JLPT level is なり〜なり? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use なり〜なり in a sentence? ▼

Attach なり〜なり (nari~nari) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is なり〜なり formal or casual Japanese? ▼

なり〜なり is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember なり〜なり long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.