~なり~なり
Meanings
- Or, either or
- This or that; one thing or another
About this pattern
Explanation
~なり~なり is used to indicate that there are multiple possible actions or options one can take in a given situation. It emphasizes that the speaker is not committing to a single choice, but listing or implying several alternatives. It can add a somewhat neutral, matter-of-fact tone and is common in written or formal narration, but can also appear in everyday speech to suggest flexibility. Typical contexts include deciding what to do next, or describing one of several acceptable behaviors or outcomes. Be aware that the expression often follows a noun, verb, or adjective in its appropriate form, pairing two options with なり to convey "this or that". Examples imply that either course of action is acceptable or possible.
Learn in context
Example sentences
He can be late, or he can call—either way, the response is up to him.
You may attend the meeting or skip it—do as you like.
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More N1 patterns
from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including
View detailsNo matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~
View detailslike; similar to; as if; the same as
View detailsto be worthy of; to be enough for; to be sufficient
View detailsextreme; extremely; unbearably; to an extreme degree
View detailsEven though; Even if; Although; Despite
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