〜や否や: as soon as / no sooner than is a JLPT N1 grammar point. B happens the instant A does. Structure: [Verbe (dict.)] + や否や. This page explains the construction, gives Japanese examples with furigana readings, and links to related grammar points at this level.
〜や否や: as soon as / no sooner than
Structure
[Verbe (dict.)] + や否や
Explanation
や否や joins two events with almost no gap: the moment A happens, B follows. Literary and dramatic; the second clause is usually a sudden, often unexpected action.
Examples
ベルが 鳴るや否や、生徒たちは 教室を 飛び出した。
As soon as the bell rang, the students rushed out of the classroom.
家に 着くや否や、雨が ふり出した。
No sooner had I got home than it started to rain.
Quiz preview
ベルが 鳴る＿＿、生徒たちは 教室を 飛び出した。
- や否や ✓
- かたわら
- ところで
- とあって
～や否や means “the moment that”: the instant the bell rang, the students rushed out.
ドアを 開ける＿＿、猫が 飛び出して きた。
- や否や ✓
- とたんに
- ところに
- ばかりに
や否や attaches to the dictionary form: “the moment I opened the door…” (とたんに would need the た-form).