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Formation: V-dictionary + や否や; V-dictionary + や (shorter)

Says that the second event happened right after the first, often suddenly or as an instant reaction. It is literary and written, found in novels, essays and news, and sounds stiff in conversation. The main clause describes an actual event, usually in the past; it cannot be a request, command or the speaker's intention, so use 〜次第 for things like 'contact me as soon as it arrives'. It is very close to 〜が早いか; 〜なり is similar but usually has the same subject in both clauses and suggests an unexpected action, while 〜たとたん（に） is the more conversational choice and often implies something accidental.

Variants: や

Examples

• ベルが鳴るや否や、生徒たちは教室を飛び出した。
  The moment the bell rang, the students rushed out of the classroom.
• その新商品は発売されるや否や、たちまち売り切れた。
  The new product sold out almost as soon as it was released.
• 彼は席に着くや、猛然と食べ始めた。
  No sooner had he sat down than he started eating ravenously.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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