が早いか
As soon as, No sooner than, The instant that, No sooner had
Structure
(1) Verb［た］
Explanation
が早いか is a Japanese grammar pattern used with verbs to show that one action occurs almost simultaneously with another. The second action (B) happens so quickly after the first action (A) that it seems instantaneous, and is often a surprising result. This structure is composed of the particle が, the い-Adjective 早い ('quick' or 'early'), and the particle か. Common English translations include 'the moment (A), (B)' or 'no sooner had (A) than (B)'. A more literal interpretation, considering か, would be 'was it that (A) happened, or was it sooner that (B) began?', which highlights that action (B) started before one could even confirm that (A) was fully complete.
This is a rather formal expression. It is attached to verbs in either the dictionary form or the plain past tense (た-form). The clause describing the second action (B) will invariably end in the past tense.
- その子は犬を見るが早いか、お母さんの後ろに隠れた。The instant the child saw the dog, they hid behind their mother.
- 授業終了のベルが鳴るが早いか、生徒たちは教室を飛び出した。No sooner had the class-ending bell rung than the students rushed out of the classroom.
- 部長が部屋を出るが早いか、みんながおしゃべりを始めた。The moment the department manager left the room, everyone started chatting.
- 消防士は煙を見つけたが早いか、現場に駆けつけた。As soon as the firefighter spotted the smoke, they raced to the scene.
The first action (A) is typically something that happens in an instant or has a very clear point of conclusion. For verbs describing an ongoing action, 終わる ('to end') can be attached to clarify the exact moment the action stopped. Furthermore, the second action (B), while often unforeseen, is generally a deliberate act performed by someone.
Caution
Because が早いか is used to describe events that have already happened, it is not suitable for expressing future plans or desires. It is also generally used to describe the actions of others, not those of the speaker.
- 映画が終わるが早いか、感想を話したい。I want to talk about my impressions as soon as the movie ends. (Unnatural Japanese)
- 私は家に帰るが早いか、いつもすぐシャワーを浴びる。The moment I get home, I always take a shower right away. (Unnatural Japanese)
Examples
給料をもらうが早いか、すぐに買い物に使ってしまった。
As soon as I got my paycheck, I immediately went and spent it on shopping.
その猫は犬の姿を見るが早いか、物陰に隠れてしまった。
No sooner had that cat seen the dog than it hid behind something.
スタートのピストルが鳴るが早いか、選手たちは一斉に走り出した。
As soon as the starting pistol fired, the runners all took off at once.
ピザがテーブルに置かれるが早いか、子供たちはあっという間に平らげた。
No sooner had the pizza been placed on the table than the children devoured it in the blink of an eye.
兄はスマホに通知が来たのを見るが早いか、ゲームを中断してメッセージを返した。
As soon as my older brother saw the notification on his phone, he paused his game and replied to the message.
雷がゴロゴロと鳴り響くが早いか、赤ちゃんはわっと泣き出した。
No sooner had the thunder rumbled than the baby burst into tears.
勇者は敵の気配を感じるが早いか、瞬時に剣を抜いた。
As soon as the hero sensed the enemy's presence, he drew his sword in an instant.
終業時刻のチャイムが鳴るが早いか、彼は誰よりも先に会社を出た。
No sooner had the end-of-work chime rung than he left the office before anyone else.
限定スニーカーが発売されるが早いか、数分で完売してしまった。
As soon as the limited-edition sneakers were released, they sold out in a matter of minutes.
合格の知らせを聞くが早いか、彼女は飛び上がって喜んだ。
No sooner had she heard the news that she had passed than she jumped for joy.
信号が青に変わるが早いか、前の車は急発進した。
As soon as the light turned green, the car in front suddenly sped off.
夫は玄関のドアを開けるが早いか、「今日の夕飯は何？」と聞いてきた。
As soon as my husband opened the front door, he asked, "What's for dinner tonight?"
ベルが鳴り終わるが早いか、観客は拍手かっさいした。
No sooner had the bell finished ringing than the audience burst into thunderous applause.