Verb そばから

When to use

そばから: no sooner done than undone, again and again (覚えるそばから忘れる).

Explanation

The 〜そばから grammar point is used to indicate that right after a certain action is completed, another action takes place - often suggesting a repetitive or frustrating cycle.

• 掃除そうじをするそばから子供こどもたちが散ちらかす。

  As soon as I clean, the kids mess it up.

  Sōji o suru soba kara kodomo-tachi ga chirakasu.

• 仕事しごとを終おえるそばから新あらたな仕事しごとが舞まい込こんできた。

  As soon as I finished my work, a new task came in.

  Shigoto o oeru soba kara aratana shigoto ga maikonde kita.

• それを解決かいけつするそばからまた別べつの問題もんだいが出でてきた。

  As soon as we solve that, another problem arises.

  Sore o kaiketsu suru soba kara mata betsu no mondai ga detekita.

• 眠ねむりにつくそばから電話でんわが鳴なった。

  The phone rang as soon as I fell asleep.

  Nemuri ni tsuku soba kara denwa ga natta.

As Soon As (The Moment That)

• ～か～ないかのうちに〜ka〜naika no uchi niN2Expresses an action that occurs immediately after another…
• ～たかと思ったら〜ta ka to omottaraN2Express a sequence of events happening in quick…
• ～たとたん〜ta totanN3Express the moment something happens; 'as soon as', 'the…
• ～次第〜shidaiN2Expresses 'as soon as' (when used with Verb-ますstem) or…
• Verbる なりVerb-ru nariN1Expresses 'as soon as' or 'the moment'.
• Verbる や否やVerb-ru ya ina yaN1Expresses the idea of 'as soon as', 'the moment...'.
• Verb たが最後〜ta ga saigoN1Emphasizes 'once something happens, there is no going…
• Verb たら最後〜tara saigoN1Expresses that once a certain action happens, the…
• Verbる が早いかverb-ru ga hayai kaN1Expresses 'as soon as...' or 'the moment when...'.

Compare when to use each