JLPT N1・N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜なり” and “〜とたん”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜なり” and “〜とたん”
2. 〜なり
3. 〜とたん
4. AなりB・AとたんB
5. Let’s Compare
6. Summary
7. Quiz
8. Similar Articles
9. Comment
Q: Can “〜なり” and “〜とたん” be used interchangeably?
A: Both of these are used when unexpected events follow. They express negative situations and are not used in a positive sense. There are contexts where either can be used and others where they cannot, so let’s look at the details.
〜なり (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
Do A simultaneously with B
[Rule]
[V] Verb dictionary form＋なり
[Point]
After a certain action, an unusual and unexpected behavior occurs
[Examples]
夫はわたしの顔を見るなり笑い出しました。
As soon as my husband saw my face, he started laughing.
男は店に入るなり店員に文句を言い始めました。
As soon as the man entered the store, he began complaining to the clerk.
〜とたん (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
When A happens, B occurs immediately
[Rule]
[V] Verb た form＋とたん
[Point]
An unexpected event occurs immediately after an action
[Examples]
子どもはお母さんが来たとたん走り出しました。
As soon as the child saw their mother, they started running.
家を出たとたん雨が降ってきました。
The moment I stepped out of the house, it started raining.
AなりB・AとたんB
Basically, “〜なり” is followed by an action, and “〜とたん” is followed by an event.
[Examples]
子どもは家に帰るなりゲームばかりしています。
As soon as the child returns home, he plays video games nonstop.
⇒ It’s an action of “playing a game.”
家を出たとたん雨が降ってきました。
The moment I stepped out of the house, it started raining.
⇒ It’s an event of “the rain starting to fall.”
Both cannot be followed by sentences expressing intention, commands, or negations.
[Examples]
× 日本に着くなり、友達に電話するつもりです。
× 日本に着いたとたん、友達に電話するつもりです。
〇日本に着いたら、友達に電話するつもりです。
When I arrive in Japan, I plan to call my friend.
× ここに来るなり、連絡をください。
× ここに来たとたん、連絡をください。
〇ここに来たら、連絡をください。
When you get here, please contact me.
When events A and B happen simultaneously or almost instantaneously, there isn’t a significant difference in using either expression.
[Examples]
夫はわたしの顔を見るなり笑い出しました。
夫はわたしの顔を見たとたん笑い出しました。
As soon as my husband saw my face, he started laughing.
⇒ “Seeing a face” and “starting to laugh” happen almost simultaneously.
“The husband started to laugh” can be interpreted as either his action or an event.
男は店に入るなり店員に文句を言い始めました。
男は店に入ったとたん店員に文句を言い始めました。
As soon as the man entered the store, he began complaining to the clerk.
⇒ “Entering the store” and “starting to complain” happen almost simultaneously.
“Starting to complain” can be interpreted as either the man’s action or an event.
Let’s Compare
[AなりB]
The key point of “〜なり” is “simultaneity,” where the first state or situation (A) and the second action (B) occur either 1) consecutively or 2) continuously.
[Examples]
父は家に帰るなり、お風呂に入りに行きました。
As soon as he came home, my father went to take a bath.
⇒ After returning home, he takes the next action “go take a bath.” (consecutive)
娘は家に帰ってくるなり、泣き出しました。
As soon as she came home, my daughter started crying.
⇒ After returning home, her state of crying continues. (continuous)
[AとたんB]
① The key point of “〜とたん” is “instantaneousness,” meaning “As soon as A happens, B occurs.” It often includes verbs that indicate a change, such as “～てくる” or “〜てきた.”
[Examples]
薬を飲んだとたん、眠くなってきました。
As soon as I took the medicine, I started feeling sleepy.
雨が止んだとたん、虹が出てきました。
As soon as the rain stopped, a rainbow appeared.
② “〜とたん” expresses “instantaneousness,” so it cannot be used in cases where a time lag occurs, as shown below.
[Example] 父は家に帰ったとたん、お風呂に入りに行きました。
As soon as he came home, my father went to take a bath.
⇒ “Returning home” and “going to take a bath” cannot happen simultaneously or instantly.
“〜なり” is more appropriate to express the continuation of the state to the next action.
③ “〜とたん” can also be used to describe the actions of a third party as perceived subjectively by the speaker. In this case, A and B do not have to happen instantly or simultaneously.
[Examples]
夫は結婚したとたん態度が冷たくなりました。
My husband’s attitude became cold as soon as we got married.
⇒ The feeling that the attitude is cold is a subjective feeling of the wife.
友達に正直な気持ちを話したとたんやさしくなりました。
My friend became kind as soon as I told them my honest feelings.
⇒ The feeling of kindness is a subjective feeling of the speaker.
Summary
〜なり
- It describes an unexpected action that occurs immediately after another action.
- The first action happens continuously or persistently, followed by the second action.
〜とたん
- It indicates an unexpected event that occurs immediately after an action.
- It implies “as soon as A happens, B happens,” and verbs that express change are often used in the following sentence.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. とたん
アイスクリームを食べたとたんお腹が痛くなりました。
As soon as I ate the ice cream, my stomach started hurting.
*After eating the ice cream, the event of “having a stomachache” occurred, so “とたん” is appropriate.
A. とたん
パソコンを開けたとたん変な音が鳴りました。
As soon as I opened the laptop, it made a strange sound.
*After opening the computer, the event of “making a strange sound” occurred, so “とたん” is appropriate.
A. なり
高橋君はいすに座るなり音楽を聞き始めました。
As soon as Takahashi sat down, he started listening to music.
*Sitting on the chair and then moving on to the next action makes “なり” appropriate.
A. なり
駅に着くなり道に迷ってしまいました。
As soon as I arrived at the station, I got lost.
*Arriving at the station and getting lost involves “continuity,” so “なり” is appropriate.
