just as, barely, no sooner than

Intermediate

20-25 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates something happening at almost the same time.

[Verb た form] + か + [Verb ない form] + かのうちに

目が覚めたか覚めないかのうちに、電話が鳴った。

Me ga sameta ka samenai ka no uchi ni, denwa ga natta.

Just as I woke up, the phone rang.

食べ終わったか終わらないかのうちに、次の料理が来た。

Tabeowatta ka owaranai ka no uchi ni, tsugi no ryouri ga kita.

Barely finishing eating, the next dish arrived.

Very close timing - almost simultaneous.

～たとたん（に）

just as, the moment that

～かと思うと/かと思ったら

just when I thought, no sooner than

～に違いない

must be ~, no doubt that ~, undoubtedly

～に関して/関する

regarding ~, concerning ~, about ~

～について/つい

about ~, concerning ~

～に伴って/伴い/伴う

along with ~, as ~ (changes)

Emphasizes extremely close timing.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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