auxiliary verb, irregular -ru verb (-ri ending), copula
Archaic copula equivalent to modern だ or である. Used in classical Japanese and occasionally in modern formal or literary contexts.
吾輩は猫なり。
I am a cat.
auxiliary verb, irregular -ru verb (-ri ending)
to be (at a location, archaic)
Archaic locative copula meaning 'to be (in/at a place)'. Usually replaced by なる in modern Japanese. Rare and literary.
See also: なる
家は山の麓なり。
The house is at the foot of the mountain.
noun, suffix
sum of money (on receipts, envelopes)
Used as a noun or suffix to indicate an exact sum of money, typically written on receipts, envelopes, or formal documents. Often seen as 〜也.
領収書に「金壱万円也」と書いてある。
The receipt says 'Amount: 10,000 yen'.
Classical Japanese copula and auxiliary verb. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it is a fundamental element of older Japanese grammar. The kanji 也 is a Chinese character used phonetically (ateji) for this native Japanese word.