が早いか (ga ika)

Meaning & usage

が早いか expresses that a second action follows almost immediately after a first action, with no delay between them. It attaches to the dictionary form of a verb, as in 鳴るが早いか or 開くが早いか, and the main clause that follows is normally in the past tense. It is a formal written expression for N1 level, and the subject of the two clauses is often different.

Example sentences 7

1. 授業じゅぎょうの終おわりのベルが鳴なるが早はやいか、生徒達せいとたちは教室きょうしつを出でて行いった。

   As soon as the school bell rang, the students left the classroom.

2. ドアが開くが早いか、犬が外へ走った。

   The moment the door opened, the dog ran outside.

3. 信号が変わるが早いか、車が動き出した。

   The instant the light changed, the cars started moving.

4. 雨が止むが早いか、子供が出かけた。

   Right after the rain stopped, the kids went out.

5. 昼休みになるが早いか、社員が食堂へ行った。

   As soon as lunch break started, the employees went to the cafeteria.

6. 母が帰るが早いか、宿題を始めた。

   The moment my mother got home, I started my homework.

7. 電話が鳴るが早いか、父が出た。

   The instant the phone rang, my father answered it.