Japatan
Formation
- V辞書形 + が早いか
- Vた形 + が早いか
Explanation
A が早いか B means that B happened almost at the same moment as A, without waiting for A to finish. It describes quick actions or reactions. B is normally a fact that actually happened in the past, so it cannot be a wish, intention, command or request. It is a fairly formal, literary expression used in novels and written reports.
Examples
ベルが 鳴るが早いか、生徒たちは教室を飛び出した。
The moment the bell rang, the students rushed out of the classroom.
息子は家に 帰ってくるが早いか、かばんを置いて遊びに行ってしまった。
No sooner had my son come home than he dropped his bag and went out to play.
店のドアが 開くが早いか、客は特売品の売り場へ走っていった。
As soon as the store doors opened, customers ran to the bargain section.
彼は「行ってきます」と 言ったが早いか、もう駅に向かって走り出していた。
He had barely said goodbye before he was already running toward the station.
Notes
It is close in meaning to や否や and なり. Because B cannot be a request or intention, a sentence like 家に着くが早いか、電話してください is wrong.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1電車のドアが（ ）が早いか、乗客は一斉に降りていった。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 開く
が早いか follows the dictionary form (or ta-form) of a verb. The sentence means: The moment the train doors opened, the passengers all got off.
2「〜が早いか」の使い方が正しい文はどれか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 彼は席に着くが早いか、料理を食べ始めた。
After が早いか comes something that actually happened. 2 means: The moment he sat down, he started eating. 1 is a request, and 3 and 4 express intentions, so they are wrong.
3私が皿にえさを入れる（ ）、猫が走ってきて食べ始めた。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 が早いか
The sentence means: The moment I put food in the dish, the cat ran over and started eating. ばかりか adds something, からには expresses resolve, and ものの means although, so they do not fit.
