This grammar shows that one thing happens right after another. The second thing is often a surprise. The same person usually does both actions.
Verb [dictionary form] + なりPrimary
This grammar shows that one thing happens right after another. The second thing is often a surprise. The same person usually does both actions.
息子は家に帰るなり、かばんを放り出して遊びに行ってしまった。
As soon as my son got home, he threw down his bag and went out to play.
部長は報告書を読むなり、すぐに緊急会議を招集した。
The department head, immediately upon reading the report, called an emergency meeting.
彼は私の顔を見るなり、何も言わずに立ち去った。
The moment he saw my face, he left without saying a word.
泥棒は窓を開けるなり警報が鳴り響いたので、何も盗まずに逃げ出した。
As soon as the thief opened the window the alarm blared, so he fled without stealing anything.
赤ちゃんはミルクを飲むなり、すやすやと眠ってしまった。
As soon as the baby drank its milk, it fell sound asleep.
This grammar sounds very formal. It is like saying something happened so fast, it was almost a reflex. One action instantly leads to another, like a chain reaction.
This is like "as soon as" or "the moment that". But it shows surprise. Other phrases like "tato tan ni" are more common. They just mean "right after". "Ga hayai ka" is also like "right after". It focuses on speed. "Ya inaya" is very similar to "ga hayai ka" and "nari".
Don't use this when you want to say "I want to eat" or "Please sit down." The person doing both actions is usually the same. The second action must be something that already happened. It cannot be something you want to do, or a request, or an order.
Contrasts with(2)
More formal alternatives(3)
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