や否や・やいなや (ya ya yainaya)
the instant something happens; immediately after; no sooner than
Meaning & usage
や否や (also read やいなや) means that the second action happens immediately after the first, with no interval between them. It attaches to the plain (dictionary) form of a verb, and the following clause typically describes a sudden, unprompted reaction, as in the examples where someone jumps up, bursts into tears, or runs away.
Example sentences 8
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トムは目覚まし時計が鳴るや否や、ベッドから飛び起きた。
Tom jumped out of bed as soon as the alarm clock went off.
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彼が部屋にはいるや否や、彼女はわっと泣き出した。
Hardly had he entered the room, when she burst into tears.
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その知らせを聞くや否や彼はさっと立ち上がった。
He jumped to his feet the moment he heard the news.
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その警官の姿を見かけるや否や、彼は逃げ出した。
The instant he saw the policeman, he ran away.
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寝室に入るや否や、彼女は泣きじゃくり出した。
On entering the bedroom, she started sobbing.
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一人になるや否や、彼女はその手紙を開いた。
The moment she was alone she opened the letter.
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彼女は私を見るや否や、わっと泣き出した。
The moment she saw me, she burst into tears.
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彼女はそれを聞くや否やすぐここへ来た。
She came here as soon as she heard of it.