Back to grammar pattern list
N3
〜とたん（に）
Meaning
Expresses that, the very moment a certain action occurs, another matter follows immediately after. It carries a sense of unexpectedness, where the next event occurs unexpectedly just as the previous action finishes or almost finishes, as in "the moment I stood up."
Examples
- ドアを開けたとたん、猫が飛び出してきた The moment I opened the door, a cat jumped out.
- 立ち上がったとたんに、めまいがした The moment I stood up, I felt dizzy.
- 窓を開けたとたん、冷たい風が吹き込んだ The moment I opened the window, a cold wind blew in.
- 彼の顔を見たとたん、涙があふれた The moment I saw his face, tears came flooding out.