〜や、や否や: meaning and usage

How to form it

• verb (dictionary form)+や否や
• verb (dictionary form)+や

How it is used

Written: 'the moment A happened, B'. B is a sudden or quick reaction, usually told in the past, and is normally not the speaker's intention, an order or a request. More literary than 「たとたん」.

Examples

1. 彼は私を見つけるや否や駆け寄ってきた。

   He rushed over to me as soon as he found me.

2. 幕が上がるや否や、客席から大きな拍手が起こった。

   The moment the curtain rose, loud applause broke out in the audience.

3. 駅前に大型スーパーが開店するや、商店街の客足はぱったり途絶えた。

   The moment a big supermarket opened by the station, the shopping street's customers vanished.