Japanese from zero · N2 Lesson 15
Seattle-bound
〜かと 思ったら ・ 〜か 〜ないかの うちに ・ 〜ところに ・ いきなり
In this lesson, you will learn to say that one thing followed another faster than expected with 〜かと 思ったら, that two things happened at almost the same moment with 〜か 〜ないかの うちに, that someone came in just as something was going on with 〜ところに, and that something happened without warning with いきなり. At the end of August, the friends see Tanaka off at Narita Airport as he leaves for Seattle.
By the end you will be able to say
手紙を 渡して いる ところに、リサが 来ました。Lisa came just as she was handing over the letter.
リサが 着いたかと 思ったら、もう 搭乗の アナウンスでした。No sooner had Lisa arrived than they announced boarding.
さくらは 話が 終わるか 終わらないかの うちに 泣きました。Sakura cried just as he was finishing what he had to say.
りょうは いきなり 抱きつきました。Ryo hugged him without warning.
成田まで たなかの 見送りに 行きました。I went to Narita to see Tanaka off.
The grammar in this lesson
- 〜かと 思ったら — no sooner had ... than — The た-form + かと 思ったら says that the moment one thing happened, something else followed, faster than expected.
- 〜か 〜ないかの うちに — just as; hardly had ... when — The same verb in the dictionary form and the ない form, each with か, then の うちに, says a second thing happened almost at the same moment.
- 〜ところに — just as (someone came in) — A verb + ところに says that someone or something came in at that very moment.
- いきなり — without warning — いきなり says something started suddenly, with nothing first to prepare you.