Structure
Noun + なりに
それ + なりに
[い]Adjective + なりに
[な]Adjective + なりに
Noun (A) + なり + の + Noun (B)
それ + なりの + Noun
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Standard
使用域
一般
About なりに
When used as a noun, なり often presents an example group from which something exhibits traits of, regardless of whether that group is actually a good example of the trait being described. This use can be translated as 'for (A) do to (C) in the way of (B)'. Or more simply, 'to do its best in its own way', or 'to do as much as one can'. This use stems from 形, meaning 'shape' or 'pattern', and can be thought of as meaning 'in the pattern of'.
In these sentences, (A) will be a specific example from within a group, (B) will be representative of the whole group, and (C), will be the trait or behavior in question related to (B).
Either of the case marking particles に or の will come after なり, depending on whether なり is linked directly to a noun, or is being used adverbially. なりに and なりの may follow almost any word in its plain form, with the word it follows being the group or quality that is being represented.
In these sentences, (A) will be a specific example from within a group, (B) will be representative of the whole group, and (C), will be the trait or behavior in question related to (B).
Either of the case marking particles に or の will come after なり, depending on whether なり is linked directly to a noun, or is being used adverbially. なりに and なりの may follow almost any word in its plain form, with the word it follows being the group or quality that is being represented.
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自由時間が増えたら、増えたなりに有効に使いたい。If I get more free time, I would like to use all that freetime as much as I could.
- 広い部屋は広いなりのデメリットがあります。Large rooms have their own disadvantages.
- 彼は仕事が下手なりに、他の社員のモチベーションをあげてくれたりしている。For all of his lack of skill, he does his best to motivate other workers.
- 自分なりに頑張ってみたが、やっぱりダメだった。I tried my best in my own way, but it was still not enough.
Examples
なつみちゃん:「田舎って本当に不便だよね」
こまりちゃん:「田舎は不便な時もあるけど、それなりに魅力もあるよ。」Natsumi: 'The countryside is really inconvenient, right?'
Komari: 'It might be inconvenient sometimes, but it also has its own charm.'なり can also be used for rebuttal or putting oneself or others in better light due to the positive nuance of 'doing as much as one can'.
「子供はいいね。何にも心配ごとも無いし...」
「でも、子供には子供なりの苦しみがあるんだけど。」'Children have it nice. No worries at all…'
'But children have their own worries though.'Noun1(に)はNoun1 and それ + なり are common patterns. Often used with がある, 持っている and so on. The first noun can be omitted.
彼は下手なりに頑張ってラブレターを書いた。
For all of his lack of skill, he did the best that he could to write a love letter.
会計士は会計士なりに頑張って全ての手段を尽くしましたが、解決策を見つけられませんでした。
The accountants have done their best to leave no stone unturned, but they could not find a solution.
Words like 目一杯, 精一杯, 一生懸命 and 頑張って are often used to emphasize the 'do one's best' nuance.
「その問い合わせに対する私なりの回答をご紹介いたします。」
'I would like to present my own answer to that query.'
なり can be used to add a humble tone to the statement and also puts emphasis on it being unique.
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Maggie Sensei
言いなり
Japanese Naturally... By Sasaki Mizue
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