What does ～やいなや mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

States that B happens almost simultaneously right when A occurs. Written, formal.

• 「～や否や」 = "the moment A happens, B follows (almost simultaneously)". Emphasizes IMMEDIACY. Written style.
• Shortened form: 「～や」.
• Close to 「なり／が早いか」; 「や否や」 is formal and typically used for objective narration.

Examples

• ベルが鳴(な)るや否(いな)や、生徒(せいと)たちは教室(きょうしつ)を飛(と)び出(だ)した。

  No sooner had the bell rung than the students rushed out of the classroom.

• 商品(しょうひん)は発売(はつばい)されるや否(いな)や、売(う)り切(き)れた。

  As soon as it went on sale, the product sold out.

Keep in mind

• Dictionary form of a verb + や否や.
• The clause that follows is an objective fact, not a command.

Common mistakes

• Wrong家(いえ)に着(つ)くや否(いな)や、休(やす)みなさい。

  As soon as you get home, go rest.

  Correct家(いえ)に着(つ)くや否(いな)や、倒(たお)れ込(こ)んだ。

  The clause after 「や否や」 is an objective, immediate event; it is not used for commands or volition.

• Wrong着(つ)いたや否(いな)や、電話(でんわ)した。

  As soon as I arrived, I called right away.

  Correct着(つ)くや否(いな)や、電話(でんわ)した。

  Use the DICTIONARY form (着く) before 「や否や」.

Exam tips

• 「や否や」 = the moment A happens, B follows (immediate, written); A is in dictionary form.

Related patterns

• ～なり
• ～が早いか
• ～とたんに