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〜が早いか
No sooner than / the moment — instantaneous sequence
Formation
Verb (plain present) + が早いか
Usage
A formal expression similar to や否や, emphasizing the immediate succession of two events. The second event often happens almost simultaneously.
Example sentences
彼は家に帰るが早いか、テレビをつけた。
No sooner did he get home than he turned on the TV.
食事が終わるが早いか、子供たちは外に飛び出していった。
The moment the meal ended, the children dashed outside.
その歌手はステージに現れるが早いか、観客は歓声をあげた。
The moment the singer appeared on stage, the audience cheered.
彼女は電話を切るが早いか、泣き出した。
As soon as she hung up the phone, she started crying.
彼はお金を受け取るが早いか、姿を消した。
No sooner did he receive the money than he disappeared.
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