Structure
Verb[る]+ か + Verb ない(*) + かのうちに
(*) The same Verb has to be repeated
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Formal
使用域
硬い
About か〜ないかのうちに
か~ないかのうちに is a slightly formal grammar structure used in Japanese to indicate a precise point in time where the action of (A) can not be determined as either being started, or finished. Usually, it highlights the exact moment either before or after (A) commences. This grammar structure is comprised of か, ない, か, の, the noun 内 'within', and に. Literally, it just means 'while not knowing whether (A) or not (A), (B)'.
The verb that appears before か and ないか must be repeated in this grammar pattern, and may be used in its dictionary form. Standard translations include 'right after (A)', 'as soon as (A)', and 'barely when (A)'.
The verb that appears before か and ないか must be repeated in this grammar pattern, and may be used in its dictionary form. Standard translations include 'right after (A)', 'as soon as (A)', and 'barely when (A)'.
- 父はビールを飲み終わるか飲み終わらないかのうちに、新しい缶を開けた。My father opened a new can of beer as soon as he finished his beer.
- 彼は椅子に座るか座らないかのうちに、テレビをつけた。He turned his TV on just as he sat down.
- 彼女は車が止まるか止まらないかのうちに、ドアを開けて駅へと走っていった。Just as the car stopped, she opened the door and ran to the station.
- 就活を初めて1週間経つか経たないかのうちに、仕事が見つかった。In just a week of looking for a new job, I found a job.
- 戦争が終わるか終わらないかのうちに、原爆が落とされた。An atomic bomb was dropped, just when the war was about to end.
Synonyms
Examples
車を洗いきるか洗いきらないかのうちに雨が降り出したんだ。とてもイライラしたよ。
Right after I washed my car, it started raining. I was so frustrated.
いつも、家の戸を開けるか開けないかのうちにうちの犬が家から飛び出して顔をなめる。
As soon as I open the door our dog always jumps out and licks my face.
現代人って目を覚ますか目を覚まさないかのうちに、スマホをとってネットサーフィンする。
These days, people take out their smartphones and surf the web as soon as they wake up.
焦がすか焦がさないかのうちに、肉を取るのが僕の流儀。
My style is to take off the meat just when it starts to burn.
御馳走をいただくかいただかないかのうちに、帰る時間になってしまった。
Just when I was going to be treated, I had to go home (had to pay my own way).
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次第 vs. かのうちに
Nihongoの森
Breakdown and comparison in Japanese
日本語教師のN1et
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新完全マスター文法 N2
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か〜ないかのうちに – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (5 in total)
MZa
Hi.
In the following example sentence 彼女は車が止まるか止まらないかのうちに、ドアを開けて駅へと走っていった。I don’t understand why there is a とin 駅へと.nekoyama
へと is similar to へ by itself, but emphasises a bit more that it’s about a direction.
MZa
Ok thank you. I may have never encountered this particles’ combination or it’s the first time I noticed it.
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