〜か〜ないかのうちに
Formation
Meaning
Indicates that one action or event follows another so closely that they are almost simultaneous. It often implies that the second event happens even before the first is fully completed.
Note
Describes two events happening in extremely rapid succession, almost overlapping. It is used to describe objective facts and cannot be followed by expressions of the speaker's will, requests, or commands. Compare with '〜とたん', which also expresses 'just as' but focuses more on the suddenness of the second event.
Examples
授業が終わるか終わらないかのうちに、生徒たちは教室を飛び出した。
No sooner had the class ended than the students dashed out of the room.
ベッドに入るか入らないかのうちに、彼は深い眠りに落ちた。
As soon as he got into bed, he fell into a deep sleep.
チャイムが鳴るか鳴らないかのうちに、ドアが開いた。
Almost at the same time the chime rang, the door opened.
映画が終わったか終わらないかのうちに、明かりがついた。
No sooner had the movie finished than the lights came on.
着いたか着かないかのうちに、雨が降り出した。
As soon as we arrived, it started raining.
ご飯が炊けたか炊けないかのうちに、彼は食べ始めた。
Almost as soon as the rice was cooked, he started eating.