Japanese grammar
What does ～たかと思ったら mean? Japanese grammar N2
～たかと思ったら means just as… than, no sooner had….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vた + かと思ったら Vた + かと思うと |
| Romaji | takatoomottara |
| Meaning | just as… than, no sooner had… |
Forming it
| Basic form | 離陸した → 離陸したかと思ったら |
|---|
How to use it
Two events follow each other in an instant, surprising the speaker. The second clause states something that already happened.
- 「Vたかと思ったら」 = no sooner had A happened than B: 「離陸したかと思ったら、飛行機が揺れ始めた」.
- The second clause does NOT use volitional, imperative, or invitational forms — it only describes something that happened unexpectedly.
- Not used for one's own actions: 「私は家に着いたかと思ったら、寝てしまった」 sounds odd because the speaker must be observing from the outside.
Examples
離陸したかと思ったら、飛行機が大きく揺れ始めた。
No sooner had we taken off than the plane began shaking violently.
子どもは帰ってきたかと思ったら、もう外へ遊びに行った。
The child had barely come home before running out to play again.
Keep in mind
- Connects to the た form.
- The following clause is something that already happened, not an intention.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong家に着いたかと思ったら、すぐ寝よう。
As soon as I get home, I'll go straight to sleep.
Correct家に着いたかと思ったら、彼はすぐ寝てしまった。
The second clause states something that happened unexpectedly; it is not used for an intention.
-
Wrong離陸するかと思ったら、揺れ始めた。
No sooner had it taken off than the plane started shaking.
Correct離陸したかと思ったら、揺れ始めた。
Attaches to the た form.
Exam tips
- 「たかと思ったら」 = no sooner… than…; attaches to the た form, the second clause has already happened.