Meaning of 也(なり) in Japanese

Japanese word definition and usage

Reading and JLPT level 也

Kana Reading なり

Romaji nari

Parts of speech

auxiliary verb

Meaning

to be (an affirmation)
Parts of speech

Meaning

to be (location)
Parts of speech

noun (common) (futsuumeishi), suffix

Meaning

sum of money (used to express an exact sum on a receipt, envelope, certificate, etc.)

Example Sentences

也, なり used in context

しかし城(しろ)にたどりつくなり、近衛兵(このえへい)を率いた(ひきいる)人(じん)によって、わたしはこの牢獄(ろうごく)に勾引(こういん)されて(される)しまった(しまう)。

However, when I finally reached the castle I was thrown into this prison by the commander of the imperial guard.
力(ちから)は正義(せいぎ)なり。

Might is right.
文(ふみ)は人(じん)なり。

The style is the man himself.
必要(ひつよう)は発明(はつめい)の母(はは)なり。

Necessity is the mother of invention.
美(び)(び)は真(しん)に(まことに)して(する)真(しん)は美(び)(び)なり。

Beauty is truth, truth beauty.
美しき(うつくしい)ものは永遠の(えいえん)喜び(よろこび)なり。

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

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Related Kanji

Kanji found in this word

也 JLPT 1

to be (classical)

On: ヤ, エ

Kun: なり, か, また

3 strokes

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