〜そばから: no sooner than (again and again) is a JLPT N1 grammar point. Each time the action is done, it is undone at once. Structure: V-dictionnaire／V-た + そばから. This page explains the construction, gives Japanese examples with furigana readings, and links to related grammar points at this level.
〜そばから: no sooner than (again and again)
Structure
V-dictionnaire／V-た + そばから
Explanation
そばから marks an exasperating cycle: おぼえるそばから、忘れていく “I forget things as fast as I learn them”. Unlike たとたん (one-off surprise), そばから implies repetition, usually annoying. The second clause is a fact, never an intention.
Examples
おぼえるそばから、忘れていく。
I forget things as soon as I learn them.
かたづけるそばから、子どもが おもちゃを 出す。
No sooner do I tidy up than the kids get the toys out again.
Quiz preview
おぼえる＿＿＿＿、忘れていく。
- そばから ✓
- とたんに
- が早いか
- なりに
An exasperating repeated cycle (learn → forget) → そばから.
かたづける＿＿＿＿、子どもが おもちゃを 出す。
- そばから ✓
- うちから
- ところから
- あまりに
Every tidy-up is undone at once, repeatedly → そばから.