the moment, just as, as soon as

Intermediate

20-25 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates something unexpected happening immediately after an action.

[Verb た-form] + とたん(に)

家を出たとたん、雨が降り出した。

Ie wo deta totan, ame ga furidashita.

The moment I left the house, it started to rain.

彼女を見たとたん、恋に落ちた。

Kanojo wo mita totan, koi ni ochita.

The moment I saw her, I fell in love.

Second event is usually unexpected or surprising.

～次第

as soon as, depending on

～際(に)

when, at the time of, on the occasion of

～ために (tame ni)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~

～のに (noni)

although ~, despite ~, even though ~

～にもかかわらず

despite ~, in spite of ~

～ようになる

come to ~, become able to ~, reach the point where ~

Emphasizes immediacy and often surprise.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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