とたん Expressions
とたん
As soon as
Plain past tense verb + とたん
Plain past tense verb + とたん means “as soon as (I) did x…”
It is used to describe events that happen immediately as another event happens, or right after.
とたん may be used with に, but it is not necessary.
This pattern is always about the past.
Examples
- 飲んだとたん、吐き出した
Spat it up as soon as it was drunk. - 誰もいなくなったとたんに倒れた
As soon as everyone was gone, (I) collapsed。 - ドアを開けたとたん、冷たい風が入ってきた
As soon as I opened the door, a cold wind came in. - 伸びろと言ったとたんに伸びた
As soon as he said “extend” it extended.
に Omission
Although に may be omitted there is a tiny difference:
- 見たとたんに心臓が止まった
The instant I saw it my heart stopped. - 見たとたん心臓が止まった
As soon as I saw it my heart stopped.
ととたんに
If, then as soon as
Dictionary form verb + ととたんに
ととたんに is a variation of とたん that can be used for general statements (conditional, i.e. not past tense).
ととたんに is fairly rare, with とすぐ being more common.
Examples
- あれを拾うととたんに人生が変わる
Pick that up and your life will change immediately. - あの薬を飲むととたんにウサギになる
As soon as you take that medicine, you will turn into a rabbit.