〜たとたん(に) (~ta totan (ni)) — the moment ~
At the exact instant one thing finished, something unexpected followed.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
Meaning
「〜たとたん」says that at the very instant one action finished, another thing happened: 「家を出たとたん、雨が降り出した」= the moment I left the house, it started to rain.
Watch out
- Remember two conditions.
- First, a た-form always comes in front.
- Second, what follows must be something sudden and unintended, not a deliberate action — so you cannot say 「〜たとたん、コーヒーを飲もう」.
- It only describes the past, never a future plan.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
家を出たとたん、雨が降り出した。
いえをでたとたん、あめがふりだした。
The moment I left the house, it started to rain.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 出る (to go out) → た-form 出た → attach とたん to it → something sudden and unexpected comes after.
ドアを開けたとたんに、ねこが出ていった。
ドアをあけたとたんに、ねこがでていった。
The instant I opened the door, the cat ran out.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 開ける → た-form 開けた → attach とたんに → に makes the moment even clearer.
すわったとたん、いすがこわれた。
The moment I sat down, the chair broke.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) すわる → た-form すわった → attach とたん → an unexpected event comes after.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
「電車に乗っ＿とたん、ドアがしまった。」— fill the blank.
💡 Hint: One form always comes in front.
〜たとたん always takes the た-form.
Which sentence is wrong?
💡 Hint: A deliberate action doesn't fit.
What follows must be unexpected, not a plan.
What tense does 「〜たとたん」describe?
💡 Hint: Something that already happened.
It only reports a sudden past event.
Your score: /3