や否や
(Ya inaya)
as soon as / the moment that (literary).
Connection rules
- ＋V dict-form + や否や.
- ＋Literary / dramatic 'as soon as'.
- ＋The kanji 否 means 'no / deny' — etymologically 'whether or not'.
Examples
1.
彼は家に着くや否や、ベッドに倒れ込んだ。
Kare wa ie ni tsuku ya ina ya, beddo ni taorekon da.
As soon as he got home, he collapsed into bed.
「as soon as / the moment that (literary)」
2.
ドアを開けるや否や、猫が飛び出した。
Doa o akeru ya ina ya, neko ga tobidashi ta.
The moment I opened the door, the cat jumped out.
「as soon as / the moment that (literary)」