～たかと思ったら

When to use

Neutral, often carries surprise - "just when I thought..., then...".

Explanation

The ～たかと思ったら grammar point indicates that one action occurs almost immediately after another, often conveying surprise at how quickly it happens. It is frequently translated as 'as soon as...' or 'no sooner than...'.

• 電話でんわをかけたかと思おもったら、すぐに彼女かのじょが出でた。

  No sooner had I called than she picked up.

  Denwa o kaketa ka to omottara, sugu ni kanojo ga deta.

• 離陸りりくしたかと思おもったら、飛行機ひこうきが揺ゆれ始はじめた。

  As soon as we took off, the plane started shaking.

  Ririku shita ka to omottara, hikouki ga yure hajimeta.

• 買かい物ものに行いったかと思おもったら、雨あめが降ふってきた。

  No sooner had I gone shopping than it began to rain.

  Kaimono ni itta ka to omottara, ame ga futte kita.

• 仕事しごとを終おわったかと思おもったら、上司じょうしが追加ついかの仕事しごとを持もってきた。

  As soon as I finished work, my boss brought more tasks.

  Shigoto o owatta ka to omottara, joushi ga tsuika no shigoto o motte kita.

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 そばから〜soba karaN1Expresses that as soon as one action finishes, another…
• Verbる が早いかverb-ru ga hayai kaN1Expresses 'as soon as...' or 'the moment when...'.

Compare when to use each