N1Time and Sequence

動詞辞書形 + や / や否や

Q: Is "Using the ta-form instead of the dictionary form" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use the dictionary form of the verb". The ta-form is used for the conditional tense, but the dictionary form is used for this pattern.

Q: Is "Using this pattern in casual conversation" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use this pattern in formal writing or speech". This pattern is too formal for casual conversation.

Q: Is "Confusing this pattern with ～なり" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use ～なり when the subject is the same for both clauses". ～なり is used to indicate a change in the subject, but this pattern is used to indicate a change in time or sequence.

The moment that; as soon as

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "動詞辞書形 + や / や否や" is used to indicate the moment that something happens, emphasizing the instantaneous nature of the sequence. It is a formal and literary expression, often used in writing or formal speech. This pattern is used to convey a sense of suddenness or immediacy, and is often translated to English as "the moment that", "as soon as", or "the instant that".

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Dictionary form of the verb	動詞辞書形 + や / や否や	食べ + や / や否や
Negative dictionary form of the verb (for "や否や")	動詞否定辞書形 + や否や	食べない + や否や
Dictionary form of the verb (for "や" after a negative verb)	動詞否定辞書形 + や	食べない + や

Examples

Example Sentences

その政治家は、記者の姿を見てや否や、足早に車に乗り込んだ。

Sono seijika wa, kisha no sugata o mite ya ni ya, ashi hayaku ni kuruma ni norikonda.

The politician saw the journalist's appearance and immediately got into the car.

その政治家は (the politician) + 記者の姿を (saw the journalist's appearance) + 見て (saw) + や否や (the moment that) + 足早に (immediately) + 車に (into the car) + 乗り込んだ (got in)

空が暗くなったや、激しい雨が降り出した。

Sora ga kurokunatta ya, tsuyoi ame ga furidashita.

As soon as the sky darkened, heavy rain poured down.

空が (the sky) + 暗くなった (darkened) + や (the moment that) + 激しい雨が (heavy rain) + 降り出した (poured down)

帰宅するや否や、彼はテレビのスイッチを入れた。

Kitate suru ya ni ya, kare wa terebi no switch o iritsuketa.

As soon as he returned home, he turned on the TV.

帰宅する (returned home) + や否や (the moment that) + 彼は (he) + テレビのスイッチを (turned on the TV) + 入れた (turned on)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used in formal and literary writing, and is often used to convey a sense of suddenness or immediacy. It is not typically used in casual conversation. Be careful not to confuse this pattern with ～なり, which usually has the same subject for both clauses.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using the ta-form instead of the dictionary form

Use the dictionary form of the verb

The ta-form is used for the conditional tense, but the dictionary form is used for this pattern.

Using this pattern in casual conversation

Use this pattern in formal writing or speech

This pattern is too formal for casual conversation.

Confusing this pattern with ～なり

Use ～なり when the subject is the same for both clauses

～なり is used to indicate a change in the subject, but this pattern is used to indicate a change in time or sequence.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

Be careful to use the dictionary form of the verb, and to use this pattern in formal writing or speech. Pay attention to the nuance of the pattern, and make sure to use it correctly to convey the intended meaning.

In context