Practice JLPTHow to tell them apart
All four describe an event happening immediately after another, but they differ in register and what follows. 途端に is the most everyday and can follow actions or changes of state. や否や, なり, and が早いか are more literary/formal and tend to describe an immediate, often surprising or involuntary reaction. なり specifically attaches to a verb in plain form and stresses the first thing someone did right after, often a sudden personal action. が早いか emphasizes the speed with which the subject moves from one action to the next, typically with the same subject doing both. や否や is used for events that trigger an immediate, often large-scale or dramatic response.
- 途端（に） Use 途端に when you want a common, neutral way to say something happened the instant something else occurred.
- や否や・やいなや Use や否や in formal or written contexts to describe an immediate, often dramatic consequence right after an event.
- なり Use なり to stress the very first action someone took right after doing or experiencing something.
- が早いか Use が早いか to emphasize how quickly the same subject rushed into the next action without hesitation.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| 途端（に） ni | The moment / as soon as | N2 |
| や否や・やいなや ya ya yainaya | As soon as/The moment | N1 |
| なり nari | As soon as/Immediately upon | N1 |
| が早いか ga ika | As soon as/No sooner than | N1 |
途端（に） ni
The moment / as soon as
The moment; just as; as soon as; then | A noun/adverb which expresses the idea that 'something occurred the moment someone did something or something took place'.
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その日本の写真を見た途端（に）家族に会いたくなった。
I wanted to see my family the moment I saw that Japanese photograph.
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その牛乳を飲んだら、途端に腹が痛み出した。
As soon as I drank the milk, my stomach started to ache.
や否や・やいなや ya ya yainaya
As soon as/The moment
As soon as; no sooner ~ than; the moment; soon after; immediately after | A conjunction that expresses the idea that something happened or someone did something immediately following another event or action.
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そのテレビドラマは1回目が放映されるや否や、国中に大きな韓国ブームを引き起こした。
As soon as the first episode of the TV drama was telecast, it sparked a big Korea boom throughout the country.
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その小説は発売されるや否やミリオンセラーになった。
The novel sold one million copies as soon as it went on sale.
なり nari
As soon as/Immediately upon
The moment; when; as soon as; soon after; no sooner ~ than | A conjunction meaning “soon after”.
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そのニュースが報道されるなり、放送局に問い合わせの電話が殺到した。
Soon after the news was reported, phone queries flooded the broadcast centre.
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会議中タバコが吸えなくて禁断症状だった伊藤さんは、部屋を出るなりタバコに火をつけた。
Mr. Ito, who had shown withdrawal symptoms during the meeting because he was not allowed to smoke, lit a cigarette as soon as he got out of the room.
が早いか ga ika
As soon as/No sooner than
As soon as; the moment; no sooner ~ than | A conjunction indicating that as soon as something happens, something else happens.
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ひったくりは金を奪うが早いか、自転車で逃げた。
As soon as the thief (literally: snatcher) snatched my money, he fled by bike.
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ディーンは奇麗な女の子を見かけるが早いか、近寄って行って話しかけた。
No sooner did Dean see the pretty girl than he approached her and started talking to her.
途端（に） and や否や・やいなや and なり and が早いか are JLPT N2–N1 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares all 4 side by side — meanings, usage and example sentences — so you can tell them apart.