～か～ないかのうちに
ka nai ka no uchi ni
Just as; before even finishing
Formation 接続
V dictionary + か + Vない + かのうちに
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation 説明
Events occur so close together that the first may not have fully finished; commonly describes actual events.
Examples 例文
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会議が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。
The power failed just as the meeting was starting.
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試験が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。
The power failed just as the exam was starting.
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研修が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。
The power failed just as the training session was starting.
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発表会が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。
The power failed just as the presentation event was starting.
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面接が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。
The power failed just as the interview was starting.
How related patterns differ 比較
が早いか, なり, and や否や narrate an immediate following event. か～ないかのうちに suggests the first may not yet have finished. そばから often describes an action being repeated or undone, rather than simply a sequence.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～か～ないかのうちに | Just as; before even finishing | 会議が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。 The power failed just as the meeting was starting. |
| ～かと思うと／～かと思ったら | No sooner than; just when | 会議が始まったかと思うと、急に警報が鳴った。 No sooner had the meeting begun than an alarm suddenly sounded. |
| 〜が早いか | No sooner than; the instant | 会議が終わるが早いか、彼は会場を飛び出した。 The instant the meeting ended, he rushed out of the venue. |
| 〜なり | As soon as | 彼は部屋に入るなり、窓を開けた。 As soon as he entered the room, he opened the window. |
| ～そばから | As soon as; no sooner than | 資料を整理するそばから、また散らかされる。 No sooner do I organize the documents than it is made untidy again. |
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