Explanation

なり (nari) is a conjunction particle used in formal written Japanese. It is used to connect nouns or noun phrases and indicate alternative or supplementary choices.

Personalized Lesson For You!

Key Formation

• Noun A + なり + Noun B

  飛行機なり電車なり (By airplane or train)

• Noun + なり + Noun + なり

  映画なりカフェなり (Movie or cafe)

Example Sentences

• この商品は大人なり子供なりが利用できます。 (Source Unknown)

  This product can be used by adults or children.

  このしょうひんはおとななりこどもなりがりようできます。

  Kono shouhin wa otona nari kodomo nari ga riyōdekimasu.

  Pronunciation

• 忙しいなり休みの日なり、時間を作ってください。 (Source Unknown)

  Please make time, whether you are busy or it's your day off.

  いそがしいなりやすみのひなり、じかんをつくってください。

  Isogashii nari yasumi no hi nari, jikan o tsukutte kudasai.

  Pronunciation

• お金がなり時間がなり、何かしようと思ったらできるものです。 (Source Unknown)

  If you have money or time, you can do whatever you want.

  おかねがなりじかんがなり、なにかしようとおもったらできるものです。

  Okane ga nari jikan ga nari, nanika shiyō to omottara dekiru mono desu.

  Pronunciation

Usage Notes

Notes and Tips for JLPT students

Related Grammar, and what's the difference?

• か (ka) - (N5)
  - While both なり (nari) and か (ka) can indicate choices, なり (nari) is used in more formal settings, while か (ka) is used in both formal and informal settings.
• とか (toka) - (N3)
  - なり (nari) and とか (toka) both indicate alternative choices. However, とか (toka) is more commonly used in casual conversations.
• それとも (soretomo) - (N2)
  - なり (nari) and それとも (soretomo) both indicate alternative choices. However, それとも (soretomo) is used to present mutually exclusive options.

Useful Vocabulary that appeared in this page

• * 商品 (しょうひん)productPronunciation
• * 大人 (おとな)adultPronunciation
• * 子供 (こども)childPronunciation
• * 利用 (りよう)use/utilizationPronunciation
• * 忙しい (いそがしい)busyPronunciation
• * 休み (やすみ)day offPronunciation
• * 時間 (じかん)timePronunciation
• * 何か (なにか)somethingPronunciation
• * 思う (おもう)thinkPronunciation

Quiz

What does なり (nari) primarily indicate?

• Possession
• Alternative choices
• Comparison
• Emphasis