～か～ないかのうちに JLPT N2 Neutral
〜ka〜naika no uchi ni
Expresses an action that occurs immediately after another action; 'as soon as', 'no sooner than', 'the moment'.
Neutral "just as/almost before" - emphasizes the two actions nearly overlapping.
Formation
Verb-casual + か + Verb-negative form + かのうちに
Explanation
The ～か～ないかのうちに grammar point is used to express that an action occurs immediately after another action. In English, it can be translated as 'as soon as', 'no sooner than', or 'the moment'. This grammar point is used with verbs, showing the verb in both affirmative and negative forms with か and ないか, followed by のうちに.
Example sentences
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No sooner had I arrived at the station than it started raining.
Eki ni tsuku ka tsukanai ka no uchi ni, ame ga furidashita.
ケータイを買うか買わないかのうちに、新しいモデルが発売された。
As soon as I decided to buy the cell phone, a new model was released.
Keitai o kau ka kawanai ka no uchi ni, atarashii moderu ga hatsubai sareta.
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The moment he left the house, the phone rang.
Kare ga ie o deru ka denai ka no uchi ni, denwa ga natta.
パーティーが始まるか始まらないかのうちに、彼女が泣き出した。
As soon as the party began, she started crying.
Pātī ga hajimaru ka hajimaranai ka no uchi ni, kanojo ga nakidashita.