Grammar › N3 · 03 Conditions and consequences
〜たとたん(に): the moment; as soon as
N3 · 03 Conditions and consequences
Says that something unexpected happened immediately after an action.
Verb past form + とたん(に). The two events happen almost at once and the second is a surprise, not the speaker's will. It cannot be followed by a request or intention. Compare 〜次第, which is for planned actions.
Examples
ドアを開けたとたん、冷たい風が入ってきた。
The moment I opened the door, a cold wind came in.
彼は席に着いたとたんに、寝てしまった。
As soon as he sat down, he fell asleep.