Explanation
Expresses an action that occurs immediately after another action; 'as soon as', 'no sooner than', 'the moment'.
Formation
Verb-casual + か + Verb-negative form + かのうちに
Detailed explanation
The ～か～ないかのうちに grammar point is used to express that an action occurs immediately after another action. In English, it can be translated as 'as soon as', 'no sooner than', or 'the moment'. This grammar point is used with verbs, showing the verb in both affirmative and negative forms with か and ないか, followed by のうちに.
Examples
Eki ni tsuku ka tsukanai ka no uchi ni, ame ga furidashita.
No sooner had I arrived at the station than it started raining.
Keitai o kau ka kawanai ka no uchi ni, atarashii moderu ga hatsubai sareta.
As soon as I decided to buy the cell phone, a new model was released.
Kare ga ie o deru ka denai ka no uchi ni, denwa ga natta.
The moment he left the house, the phone rang.
Pātī ga hajimaru ka hajimaranai ka no uchi ni, kanojo ga nakidashita.
As soon as the party began, she started crying.
Practice
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.