Grammar › N3 · 02 Time and sequence

〜かと思うと: no sooner than; just when I thought

N3 · 02 Time and sequence

Shows that one change was quickly followed by an opposite or surprising one.

Verb past form + かと思うと (かと思ったら also). Describes quick changes in another person's behavior or the weather. The speaker is observing, not acting. Compare 〜たとたん, which is about a sudden result.

Examples

赤あかちゃんは笑わらったかと思おもうと、すぐに泣なき出だした。

The baby laughed, and a moment later started crying.

空そらが晴はれたかと思おもうと、また雨あめが降ふってきた。

Just when it seemed the sky had cleared, it started raining again.

Study 〜かと思うと in the course →