や否や・やいなや (ya ya yainaya)
the instant something happens; immediately after; no sooner than
Meaning & usage
や否や and やいなや express that a second action happens in the very instant a first action is completed, like no sooner than or immediately after. They attach to the dictionary form of a verb, as in 着くやいなや or 聞くや否や. Both forms are formal and literary, and the following clause normally describes a completed past event rather than a command, request, or intention.
Example sentences 8
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私は目的地に着くやいなや彼に電話した。
As soon as I arrived at the destination, I called him.
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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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私たちが駅に着くやいなや雨が降り始めた。
No sooner had we reached the station than it began to rain.
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衝突の音を聞くやいなや、彼は家から走り出した。
As soon as he heard the crash, he rushed out of the house.
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彼は私を見るやいなや逃げ去った。
No sooner had he seen me than he ran away.
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その子はお母さんを見るやいなやワッと泣き出した。
No sooner had the child seen his mother than he burst into tears.
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彼は警察官を見るや否や逃げて行った。
As soon as he caught sight of a policeman, he ran away.
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彼女がドアを開けるやいなや猫が走り出た。
No sooner had she opened the door than a cat ran out.
