か～ないかのうちに

About

The 〜か～ないかのうちに pattern is used to express that an action happened in quick succession following the completion of another.

The second half of a 〜か～ないかのうちに should not feature the speaker's own actions, intentions, commands, or a negative statement.

〜か～ないかのうちに includes the nuance that the speaker isn't sure whether the first action was even completed before the second happened.

E.g. 映画えいがが終おわるか終おわらないかのうちに、ほとんどの人ひとが席せきを立たった。 "Right as the movie finished, most people had already stood up."

E.g. 休やすむか休やすまないかのうちに、週末しゅうまつが終おわってしまった。 "Before I even had a chance to rest, the weekend was over."

E.g. モチは、ベッドに入はいるか入はいらないかのうちに寝ねた。 "Mochi fell asleep the second they got into bed."

Summary

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  The 〜か～ないかのうちに pattern is used to express that an action happened in quick succession following the completion of another

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  〜か～ないかのうちに includes the nuance that the speaker isn't sure whether the first action was even completed before the second happened