日本語道場 — Nihongo Dojo

～なり～なり

~nari ~nari

either...or (giving options)

When to use it

Use ～なり～なり to lay out two (or more) representative options and leave the choice to the listener — typically followed by a request, suggestion, or instruction (～てください、～たらどうですか、～ほしい). It implies "whichever you like, but do something", so it often carries a nudge of impatience; avoid it when describing what a superior should do. It differs from ～か～か (a genuine two-way choice) in that the listed items are merely examples, not an exhaustive list.

Formation

Verb: dictionary form + なり — 電話するなり、メールするなり
Noun: plain noun + なり; case particles attach before なり — 部長になり、メールでなり
い-adjective / な-adjective: not used
Common fixed forms: 「～なり何なり」 (…or whatever), 「何なり」「どこなり」「いつなり」 + と/でも
The clause that follows is normally a request, command, suggestion, or statement of the speaker's wish — not a plain past-tense report

Examples

Call them or email them — just get word to the client.
Please run it by the manager or Legal at some point.
Revise it or swap it out — decide by end of day.
Raise it in the meeting or put it in writing — your call.
Please let us know if there's anything at all you need.