← Grammar bank

Formation: V-dictionary + が早いか (occasionally V-ta + が早いか)

が早いか describes Y happening immediately after X, so fast the two seem almost simultaneous. It is a narrative, somewhat literary pattern used to describe events that actually happened, so the main clause is in the past. The main clause cannot express the speaker's intention, a request or a command. It is used for observed events, usually about other people or things. It is very close to 〜や否や. 〜なり also means "as soon as" but stresses that the same person did something sudden or unexpected. 〜たとたん is more everyday and often covers accidental events. 〜次第 is the one to use for future plans and requests.

Variants: たが早いか

Examples

• 子どもたちはベルが鳴るが早いか、教室を飛び出した。
  The moment the bell rang, the children rushed out of the classroom.
• 彼は家に着くが早いか、パソコンの電源を入れた。
  No sooner had he got home than he switched on his computer.
• 新商品は店頭に並ぶが早いか、売り切れた。
  The new product sold out the moment it hit the shelves.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

No post has used this pattern yet. Examples from real texts will appear here.