Time - close

ところ

Means “just about to”. Used when describing what we’re about to do. Can also mean “just after something happened”. Used by combining to a verb.

Example

今ご飯はんを作るところです。 I’m about to make dinner.

かと思おもったら means “just when”. Can also be used as かと思うと and かと思えば. Used with a verb in the past (た) form.

Examples

スーパーに行いったかと思ったら、雪ゆきが降ふり出だした。 Just as I went to the supermarket, it started snowing.

V (る)

+ か +

V (ない)

+ か + のちに

か~ないかのうちに means “right after”, “as soon as”. It is formal.

Examples

彼かれは電車でんしゃが駅えきに着つくか着つかないかのうちに走はしり始はじめた。 He started running as soon as the train arrived at the station.

次第しだい means “as soon as”. Made by removing the ます stem of a verb.

Examples

食たべべ次第、オフィスに行ってください。 As soon as you’ve eaten, please go to the office.

With に at the end, it means “gradually”.

Examples

彼かれは次第に上手じょうずになってきた。 He’s gradually gotten better.

直ただちに means “immediately”, “at once”.

Examples

直ちに出でかけなきゃ！ I need to get going right now!

Means “at the time”, “when”, “while”, “just as”. Used with verbs in the ている form. Focuses on the scene or situation rather than the action.

Examples

ばかばかしいことをしていたところに、先輩せんぱい入はいりました。 While I was doing something stupid, my senior came in.

一気いっきに means “at once”, “all at once” and “instantly”, “right away”.

Examples

一気に全部ぜんぶ食たべちゃった。 I ate it all in one go.

彼かれを叱しかった後あとで、一気に止やめました。 After scolding him, he stopped right away.