Topic N1
Japanese Learning
45. そばから : As soon as... / (repeatedly right after).
✏️Structure
V-ru / V-ta + そばから💡Usage
Used to describe an action that occurs immediately after another, often repeatedly (usually with a negative nuance).
📚Examples
片付けるそばから、子供が散らかしていく。
Katazukeru soba kara, kodomo ga chirakashite iku.
As soon as I tidy up, the children mess it up again.
聞いたそばから忘れてしまう。
Kiita soba kara wasurete shimau.
I forget things as soon as I hear them.
給料をもらうそばから使ってしまう。
Kyuuryou wo morau soba kara tsukatte shimau.
I spend my salary as soon as I receive it.
注意したそばから同じ間違いを繰り返す。
Chuui shita soba kara onaji machigai wo kurikaesu.
Repeat the same mistake as soon as I've been warned.
新しい言葉を覚えるそばから、古い言葉を忘れていく。
Atarashii kotoba wo oboeru soba kara, furui kotoba wo wasurete iku.
As soon as I learn new words, I start forgetting the old ones.
拭くそばから、また窓が汚れる。
Fuku soba kara, mata mado ga yogoreru.
As soon as I wipe it, the window gets dirty again.
料理を作るそばから、家族が食べていく。
Ryouri wo tsukuru soba kara, kazoku ga tabete iku.
As soon as I cook some food, the family eats it all up.
洗濯物を干すそばから、雨が降り出してきた。
Sentakumono wo hosu soba kara, ame ga furidashite kita.
Just after hanging the laundry, it started to rain.
メールを返信するそばから、また新しいメールが届く。
Meeru wo henshin suru soba kara, mata atarashii meeru ga todoku.
As soon as I reply to an email, a new one arrives.
穴を掘るそばから、砂が崩れて埋まってしまう。
Ana wo horu soba kara, suna ga kuzurete umatte shimau.
As soon as I dig a hole, the sand collapses and fills it back up.