か〜ないかのうちに
ka ~ nai ka no uchi ni
no sooner than; the moment that
[No sooner than / The moment that / As soon as]
Connection: Verb (た form) + か + Verb (ない form) + かのうちに
Usage: Expresses that the second action occurs almost simultaneously with or immediately after the first action is completed. Emphasizes the extreme speed of the transition.
Examples:
ベッドに横になったか横にならないかのうちに、もう眠ってしまった。(No sooner had I lain down on the bed than I fell asleep.)
チャイムが鳴ったか鳴らないかのうちに、学生たちは教室を出た。(The moment the bell rang, the students left the classroom.)
電車が止まったか止まらないかのうちに、ドアに人が殺到した。(No sooner had the train stopped than people rushed to the doors.)