Grammar › N1 · 02 Time and sequence

〜そばから: no sooner ... than (again)

N1 · 02 Time and sequence

Describes something happening again and again right after it is done, so the effort is wasted.

Verb dictionary/た-form + そばから. Used for repeated annoying cycles: 覚えるそばから忘れる. Not for a single event. It carries a feeling of frustration.

Examples

片付かたづけるそばから、子供こどもがおもちゃを散ちらかしていく。

As soon as I tidy up, the child makes a mess of the toys again.

英単語えいたんごは、覚おぼえたそばから忘わすれてしまう。

I forget English words the moment I memorize them.