Meaning and Usage
"成り立つ" (なりたつ) is a versatile verb used to express that something is composed of certain parts or elements, or that something is logically or practically established or valid. It often appears in contexts discussing the structure or foundation of things, such as texts, plans, arguments, or relationships.
Common Contexts
- Describing the composition of something: "XはYから成り立つ" means "X consists of Y."
- Indicating that something is established or functions due to certain conditions or cooperation.
- Expressing logical validity or coherence, often in negative form to indicate something does not hold logically.
Collocations and Patterns
- "～から成り立つ": to be made up of; to consist of
- "～によって成り立つ": to be established or supported by
- "論理的に成り立つ／成り立たない": to be logically consistent/inconsistent
Register and Nuance
"成り立つ" is a neutral to formal verb, suitable for written and spoken Japanese, especially in academic, business, or formal contexts. It is not casual slang.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "成り立つ" with "成す" or "成る". Remember that "成り立つ" emphasizes the idea of composition or establishment, not just "to become" or "to achieve." Also, it is often used in the passive or continuous forms to describe ongoing states or conditions.