N2Time & Sequence

V-辞書形 / た形 + そばから

Q: Is "Using this pattern for positive, non-repetitive events" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use a different pattern, such as "V-た形 + から"". This pattern is used to express frustration or annoyance at the repetition of a negative outcome. If the event is positive and non-repetitive, use a different pattern to convey the meaning.

Q: Is "Confusing with 'ya ina ya' (immediate action, but not necessarily repeated)" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'V-た形 + から' or 'V-辞書形 + から'". While both patterns indicate immediate action, 'V-辞書形 + から' or 'V-た形 + から' do not imply repetition, whereas 'V-た形 + そばから' does.

Q: Is "Confusing with 'ta totan' (surprising result)" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'V-た形 + から' or 'V-辞書形 + から'". While both patterns indicate a result, 'V-た形 + から' or 'V-辞書形 + から' do not imply surprise, whereas 'V-た形 + そばから' does.

As soon as; right after (repeatedly/frustratingly)

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "V-辞書形 / た形 + そばから" is used to indicate that as soon as something is done, the same thing or a negative outcome happens again. This pattern often implies a cycle of futility or frustration. It suggests that the action is repeated, and the result is consistently negative. For example, "子供は、おもちゃを片付けるそばからまた散らかしてしまう" means that as soon as the child cleans up the toys, they scatter them again. This pattern is often used to express frustration or annoyance at the repetition of a negative outcome.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
V-辞書形	V-辞書形 + そばから	子供は、おもちゃを片付けるそばからまた散らかしてしまう
V-た形	V-た形 + そばから	新しい単語を覚えるそばから忘れてしまう
V-た形 (連用形)	V-た形 (連用形) + そばから	料理をテーブルに並べるそばからみんなが食べてしまう

Examples

Example Sentences

子供は、おもちゃを片付けるそばからまた散らかしてしまう

Kodomo wa, omocha o katte iru そばから mata maika shite shimau

The child cleans up the toys, but they scatter them again right away.

子供は (the child) + おもちゃを (toys) + 片付ける (cleans up) + そばから (right away) + また (again) + 散らかしてしまう (scatters them)

新しい単語を覚えるそばから忘れてしまうので、困っている

Atarashii kotoba o oboeru そばから wasurete shimau node, nayamau

As soon as I learn new words, I forget them again, so I'm troubled.

新しい (new) + 単語を (words) +覚える (learn) + そばから (right away) + 忘れてしまう (forget) + そで (so) + 困っている (troubled)

料理をテーブルに並べるそばからみんなが食べてしまう

Ryouri o teeburu ni naraberu そばから minna ga tabete shimau

As soon as I arrange the dishes on the table, everyone eats them again.

料理を (dishes) + テーブルに (on the table) +並べる (arranges) + そばから (right away) + みんなが (everyone) + 食べてしまう (eats them again)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to express frustration or annoyance at the repetition of a negative outcome. It is often used in situations where something is done, but the result is consistently negative. The pattern can be used in both formal and informal writing, but it is more commonly used in informal writing. It can be confused with other patterns, such as "ya ina ya" or "ta totan", but the meaning and nuance are different.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using this pattern for positive, non-repetitive events

Use a different pattern, such as "V-た形 + から"

This pattern is used to express frustration or annoyance at the repetition of a negative outcome. If the event is positive and non-repetitive, use a different pattern to convey the meaning.

Confusing with 'ya ina ya' (immediate action, but not necessarily repeated)

Use 'V-た形 + から' or 'V-辞書形 + から'

While both patterns indicate immediate action, 'V-辞書形 + から' or 'V-た形 + から' do not imply repetition, whereas 'V-た形 + そばから' does.

Confusing with 'ta totan' (surprising result)

Use 'V-た形 + から' or 'V-辞書形 + から'

While both patterns indicate a result, 'V-た形 + から' or 'V-辞書形 + から' do not imply surprise, whereas 'V-た形 + そばから' does.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

In the JLPT N2 exam, this pattern may appear in reading comprehension questions or listening comprehension questions. Be careful to distinguish it from other patterns, such as "V-た形 + から" or "V-辞書形 + から", and pay attention to the context and nuance.

In context