Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 8: 7/22

た途端(とたん)に
the instant・moment, as soon as, just as

Cannot be used after Nouns or Adjectives

Structure
Verb[た]+ とたん()
Details
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使用域 一般
Information
たとたんに, frequently seen using its kanji form た途端(とたん)に is a structure used to convey that something happens 'the instant', or 'the moment' that something else occurs. It is a combination of the auxiliary verb た (indicating the completion of a verb), and the noun 途端(とたん) 'on the tip of' used adverbially (with ).
(A) た途端(とたん)に (B) is used to express (B) things that are beyond the control of the speaker, and may be considered strange, or unexpected.
  • 高速(こうそく)乗(の)った途端(とたん)に、タイヤパンクした。
    The moment I got on the highway, my tire got punctured.
  • 布団(ふとん)入(はい)った途端(とたん)に先輩(せんぱい)から電話(でんわ)かかってきた
    The moment I got into my futon, I received a call from my senpai.
As 途端(とたん) literally means 'on the tip of', any (B) action is considered to happen either directly upon (A), or even simultaneously with (A).
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出(で)たとたんに雨(あめ)が降(ふ)り始(はじ)めた。
The instant I went outside, it began to rain.
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窓(まど)を開(あ)けたとたん鳥(とり)部屋(へや)中(なか)に入(はい)ってきた。
As soon as I opened the window, a bird flew into the room.
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帰(かえ)ろうとしたとたん仕事(しごと)を頼(たの)まれた。
Just as I was about to leave, I was given more work to do.
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