JLPT N1

～が早いか

As soon as, no sooner than

Structure

Verb-dictionary form / Verb-た form + が早いか

How it works

Used to express that an action occurred immediately after another, almost without any time in between. It highlights the swiftness and directness of the second action.

Examples

彼は電車を降りるが早いか、一直線に改札へ向かった。

As soon as he got off the train, he headed straight for the ticket gate.

Common mistakes

Using it for actions that are merely sequential but not necessarily immediate. It stresses the near-simultaneous occurrence.

Tip

Imagine one action triggering the next with no delay. '早いか' literally means 'is it fast?', emphasizing the speed.

More JLPT N1 grammar

いかんによらずをもってをものともせずともなるとであれたりとも~ないに足る極まりない

See ～が早いか in real Japanese

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