なり

な

り

Meanings

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

style; way; shape; form; appearance; state

usually written using kana alone

Refers to the manner, style, or condition of something, often used in the phrase なりに meaning 'in one's own way' or 'as it is'. The word is usually written in kana.

Kanji

形shape, form, style
態attitude, condition, figure

Don't confuse with

それなりN2
形（なり）means 'shape/appearance' or 'in the state of', while それなり uses なり as part of a fixed expression meaning 'in its own way' — don't confuse the two なり.

Word family

ふたなり
hermaphrodite; androgyny; hermaphroditism · hermaphroditic female characters
なりふり
appearance; dress; one's look
形なり体かたち
appearance; form; looks
形なり姿すがた
appearance; attire; dress
頭ず形なり兜かぶと
zunari helmet; head-shaped helmet

Written forms

なりUsage100%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 形 and 態 are rare and may be confusing.
形なり
Kanji form for 'shape' or 'form', but rarely used for this reading; more commonly read かたち.
態なり
Kanji form for 'appearance' or 'state', but rarely used for this reading; more commonly read わざ or たい.

Etymology

Derived from the classical Japanese verb なる (to become), originally meaning 'the way something has become'. The kanji 形 and 態 are applied for their meanings but are not commonly used for this reading.