GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜と同時に
Indicates that a second event begins at the very moment the first event occurs.
Examples
扉が開くと同時に、観客が会場へ入った。
As soon as the doors opened, the spectators entered the venue.
Words used
春になると同時に、庭の花が咲き始めた。
As spring arrived, the flowers in the garden began to bloom.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
と同時にto a dictionary-form verb to link the onset of two events. - Basic usage:
扉が開くと同時に、観客が会場へ入った。closely aligns the doors opening with the spectators entering.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Verb form and sentence tense
開くと同時に入ったdescribes past events while using a dictionary form first. The final入ったestablishes the sentence's past tense.
- Comparison with ながら
音楽を聞きながら歩くhighlights the overlap of ongoing activities, while開くと同時に入るhighlights the alignment of event onsets.