「〜なり〜なり」- Listing Structure

Explanation

「〜なり〜なり」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to list options, meaning "… or …" or "you can … or …." It is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese and is formed by attaching なりなり to the dictionary form of verbs or nouns. This structure is typically used to present two or more choices or possibilities, while implying that there are other unmentioned options as well.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
〜なり〜なり	Dictionary form of verbs / Nouns + なりなり	Used to list two or more options, implying other possibilities exist.

Basic Usage

Connection Rules

• Dictionary form of verbs + なりなり
• Nouns + なりなり

Meaning

• Whether it's friends or family, I want to consult someone I can trust.
• You can … or …

Detailed Explanation

「〜なり〜なり」 is often used in suggestions, commands, invitations, warnings, or advice. It is used when offering suggestions or allowing someone to choose an action. This structure implies that there are other possibilities beyond the listed options.

Examples

• 友達ともだちなり家族かぞくなり信頼しんらいできる人ひとに相談そうだんしたい。
• Tomodachi nari kazoku nari shinrai dekiru hito ni soudan shitai.
• Whether it's friends or family, I want to consult someone I can trust.
  

• おにぎりなりパンなり、何なにか食たべてから行いきなさい。
• Onigiri nari pan nari, nani ka tabete kara ikinasai.
• Eat something, whether it's rice balls or bread, before you go.
  

• 疲つかれたら軽かるく運動うんどうするなり背伸せのびするなり自由じゆうにしてください。
• Tsukaretara karuku undou suru nari senobi suru nari jiyuu ni shite kudasai.
• If you're tired, feel free to do some light exercise or stretch.
  

• 分わからないときは、私わたしに聞きくなり、辞書じしょで調しらべるなりしてください。
• Wakaranai toki wa, watashi ni kiku nari, jisho de shiraberu nari shite kudasai.
• When you don't understand, ask me or look it up in the dictionary.

Deep Dive

「〜なり〜なり」 is widely applicable in various contexts. It is not only used for making choices but also for giving informal suggestions, offering multiple options while leaving room for other possibilities. Its flexibility makes it a commonly used expression in everyday conversations.

Comparison and Differences

「〜なり〜なり」 vs. 「〜とか〜とか」

Grammar Point	Usage	Example
「〜なり〜なり」	More formal, suitable for formal situations	彼かれは映画えいがなり音楽おんがくなりに興味きょうみがある。 Kare wa eiga nari ongaku nari ni kyoumi ga aru. He is interested in movies, music, and the like.

Related Grammar

「〜なりとも」

「〜なりとも」 means "even if it's just …" and is used to express a minimal requirement or hope.

• 時間じかんがあったら電話でんわなりともしてください。
• Jikan ga attara denwa nari tomo shite kudasai.
• If you have time, please call me, even if it's just briefly.

「〜なり何なり」

「〜なり何なり」 means "… or something like that" and is used to list possible options or actions.

• お困こまりの際さいはお近ちかくの店員てんいんへ何なんなりとお申しもうつけください。
• Okomari no sai wa ochikaku no ten'in e nan nari to omoushitsuke kudasai.
• If you have any trouble, please let the nearby staff know or something like that.

Summary

「〜なり〜なり」 is a highly useful Japanese grammatical structure that provides multiple choices or possibilities while implying other options. Mastering this grammar point will make your Japanese expressions more natural and versatile.