か〜ないかの内に
Right after, As soon as, Just when, Barely
Structure
(*) The same Verb has to be repeated
Explanation
The grammar pattern か～ないかのうちに is a somewhat formal expression that conveys that a second action (B) occurs almost simultaneously with a first action (A). It emphasizes that (B) happens so quickly that one can barely distinguish whether (A) has fully completed or not. The structure is formed by combining か, ないか, the particle の, the noun 内 (meaning 'within' or 'during'), and the particle に. A direct translation would be something like, 'within the time of not knowing if (A) happened or not, (B) occurred'.
In this construction, the same verb must be used twice: once before か in its dictionary form, and again before ないか. Common English equivalents for this pattern are 'the moment that...', 'just as...', and 'no sooner than...'.
- 兄は電話を切るか切らないかのうちに、次の番号にかけた。My older brother dialed the next number the moment he hung up the phone.
- 家に着くか着かないかのうちに、エアコンのスイッチを入れた。As soon as I got home, I switched on the air conditioner.
- チャイムが鳴るか鳴らないかのうちに、生徒たちは教室から飛び出した。The students bolted from the classroom the instant the bell rang.
This grammar point can also be attached to phrases indicating a duration of time to express that something occurred surprisingly quickly. It is often used when an event, whether good or bad, happens within a shorter timeframe than one might normally anticipate.
- 引っ越して三日経つか経たないかのうちに、熱を出してしまった。I came down with a fever barely three days after moving.
- 店が開店するかしないかのうちに、人気のパンは売り切れてしまった。The popular bread sold out almost as soon as the store opened.
Examples
電車が駅に着くか着かないかの内に、ドアの前に人が並び始めた。
Just as the train was arriving at the station, people started lining up in front of the doors.
赤ちゃんをベッドに置くか置かないかの内に、また泣き出してしまった。
As soon as I put the baby down in bed, he started crying again.
スタートのピストルが鳴るか鳴らないかの内に、彼はもう走り出していた。
The moment the starting pistol went off, he was already running.
電話に出るか出ないかの内に、相手はもう切ってしまった。
The other person hung up just as I was about to answer the phone.
ご飯を食べ終わるか食べ終わらないかの内に、母はお皿を片付け始めた。
Right after I finished eating, my mother started clearing the plates.
主役が部屋に入るか入らないかの内に、みんなが「おめでとう！」と叫んだ。
The moment the guest of honor entered the room, everyone shouted, 'Congratulations!'
疲れていたので、ベッドに横になるかならないかの内に、眠ってしまった。
I was so tired that I fell asleep as soon as I lay down in bed.
映画館で席に座るか座らないかの内に、上映が始まった。
Right after we sat down in our seats at the theater, the movie began.
メールを送信するかしないかの内に、返事が来たので驚いた。
I was surprised because a reply came just as I had sent the email.
デパートが開店するかしないかの内に、お客さんが目当ての商品に殺到した。
As soon as the department store opened, customers rushed toward the products they were aiming for.
家を出かけるか出かけないかの内に、大雨が降り始めた。
Just as I was about to leave the house, it started to pour rain.
彼がバス停に着くか着かないかの内に、バスは出発してしまった。
The bus departed just as he arrived at the bus stop.