GRAMMAR DETAIL
かないかのうちに
Indicates that the following event occurs almost simultaneously with the preceding action, before it is clearly complete.
Examples
店が開くか開かないかのうちに、客が次々と入ってきた。
As soon as the store opened, customers began streaming in one after another.
Words used
母が部屋に入るか入らないかのうちに、子どもは眠った。
Almost as soon as the mother entered the room, the child fell asleep.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Pair a verb's dictionary and negative forms with
か, then addのうちにto place another event almost at the boundary of the first action's completion. - Basic usage:
店が開くか開かないかのうちに、客が次々と入ってきた。describes the store's opening and customers' entry as almost overlapping.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Timing versus a question of whether
開くか開かないかを確認するchecks whether the store will open.開くか開かないかのうちに入るrelates the timing of opening and entering, so the final connection changes the function.