GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜たとたん
Indicates that something unexpected occurs at the exact moment the preceding action ends.
Examples
玄関の扉を開けたとたん冷たい風が入ってきた。
The moment I opened the front door, a cold wind blew in.
Words used
ベルが鳴ったとたん、教室が静かになった。
As soon as the bell rang, the classroom fell silent.
Words used
外に出たとたん、大粒の雨が降り出した。
The moment I stepped outside, heavy drops of rain began to fall.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: After a verb's ta-form,
とたんcaptures the moment when another event suddenly occurs immediately after the first. - Basic usage:
外に出たとたん、大粒の雨が降り出した。describes heavy drops of rain suddenly beginning just as the speaker stepped outside.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Unlike a planned next action
着いたとたん、雨が降り出したreports an unexpected event immediately after arrival. A plan to call upon arrival is more naturally expressed with a condition or sequence, as in着いたら電話します.