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〜なり〜なり

either … or (whatever works)

Noun / Verb dictionary form + なり、… + なり

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AなりBなり gives two examples of acceptable options, meaning "do either, or something like that": 電話なりメールなりで連絡してください, "please get in touch by phone, email or whatever".

It's usually used in suggestions, advice and instructions: しなさい, してください, 好きにすればいい. The options are examples, and there may be others. It's often said to someone junior or close, so it can sound a little bossy.

Compare か〜か (N5), a neutral "or", and だの〜だの, which lists complaints.

Don't confuse it with なり after a verb (N1), "as soon as": 帰るなり寝た.

Examples

  • 電話でんわなりメールなりで連絡れんらくしてください。

    Please get in touch by phone, email or whatever.

  • 分わからなければ、先生せんせいに聞きくなり、辞書じしょで調しらべるなりしなさい。

    If you don't understand, ask your teacher or look it up, or something.

  • 休やすみの日ひは、映画えいがを見みるなり買かい物ものに行いくなり、好すきにすればいい。

    On your day off, see a film, go shopping, do whatever you like.

  • 捨すてるなり売うるなり、好すきにしていいよ。

    Throw it away or sell it, do what you like.

  • コーヒーなり紅茶こうちゃなり、お好すきなものをどうぞ。

    Coffee, tea, have whatever you like.

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