N3

As soon as

V-na + か…ないかのうちに

This structure indicates that one action occurs almost immediately after another, often suggesting a brief time gap.

Examples

  • 彼は部屋に入ったか入らないかのうちに、子供たちが騒ぎ始めた。

    As soon as he entered the room, the children started making noise.

  • 彼女は名前を呼ばれたか呼ばれないかのうちに、振り向いた。

    As soon as her name was called, she turned around.

  • この仕事は終わったか終わっていないかのうちに、次が来た。

    As soon as this job was finished, the next one arrived.

Quick check

彼は部屋に入った___入らないかのうちに、子供たちが騒ぎ始めた。

More N3 grammar