Indicates that the action in the main clause occurs before the action or event marked by 前に. The verb before 前に is always in dictionary form (present), even when the event is in the past — the tense is carried by the main clause verb. For nouns, use N + の前に. Distinct from 〜うちに (which carries a sense of 'while there is still time / before the window closes').

Indicates that the main clause action happens after the action or event marked by 後で／後. The verb before it is always in past (た) form, regardless of overall sentence tense. 後で and 後 are largely interchangeable in everyday speech, though 後で can feel slightly more conversational. For a clearer sense of sequential action dependency, use 〜てから.

Expresses two simultaneous actions performed by the same subject. The main action comes second; the ながら clause is the subordinate/background action. The subject of both verbs must be the same person. Cannot be used when there is a large gap in duration between the two actions. In casual speech, 〜てながら can be used for warmth or mild emphasis. For different-subject 'while', use 〜間（に）.

Expresses a clear sequential relationship: X happens first, and then Y follows as a direct consequence or planned next step. Stronger sequential emphasis than 〜後で. The same subject typically performs both actions. Often used for instructions, routines, or step-by-step procedures. Cannot be used with states or one-time interval gaps the way 〜後で can.

〜間 means 'throughout the entire duration' — the main clause action continues for the whole period. 〜間に means 'at some point during' — the main clause action happens once or briefly within that window. With nouns (e.g. 夏休みの間), both meanings are possible depending on the main verb. Cannot use 〜間に with a stative main clause that lasts the entire period.

Also appears inTemporal Simultaneity & Sequence·Temporal Simultaneity & Sequence

Expresses that when the subject did X, they were surprised to find or discover Y. The result clause is always in past tense (〜た) and contains an element of unexpected discovery. The subject of the discovery must be the speaker or the experiencer. This is distinct from the habitual/general truth use of 〜と (to-condition). Often the discovery is visual or sensory. For a more conversational version, use 〜たら with the same function.

Also appears inTemporal Simultaneity & Sequence·Temporal Simultaneity & Sequence

Expresses discovery, similar to 〜ると, but with a more conversational, everyday tone. Used when an unexpected or notable result is encountered after doing X. The result clause is in past tense. Often used in casual storytelling. Can express a wider range of emotional reactions to the discovery than 〜ると. The subject restriction (must be the experiencer) is the same.

Also appears inTemporal Simultaneity & Sequence·Temporal Simultaneity & Sequence

Combines 〜てみる (try doing) with discovery と/たら. Implies the subject intentionally performed an action to see what would happen, and the result was surprising or noteworthy. Often followed by expressions of surprise or evaluation (意外と, 思ったより, なかなか). Distinct from plain 〜ると/〜たら discovery because the 'trying' element is explicit.

Expresses a natural, inevitable, or habitual consequent: 'whenever X happens, Y always/naturally follows'. Unlike 〜たら, 〜と implies a general rule or repeated pattern rather than a one-time condition. The result clause cannot contain volition, commands, requests, or suggestions — only factual statements. Often used for natural phenomena, machine operations, and personal habits. Distinct from the discovery use of 〜と (same form, different function).

Expresses that something happens the very instant another action is completed — often an abrupt, unexpected, or dramatic change. The two events are nearly simultaneous. The second clause must describe an involuntary, uncontrolled event or state — volitional actions (commands, intentions) cannot follow. Often conveys a sense of drama or surprise. The に is optional but common in written language.

Expresses that something (a realization, understanding, or change) only became possible after a specific experience or event. The main clause often uses わかる, 知る, 気づく, 感じる — verbs of cognition or awareness. Implies the speaker could not have understood beforehand; the experience was necessary. The event in the て clause is often a hardship or significant life event. Distinct from 〜てからでないと, which focuses on prerequisite conditions.

Combines 〜てから with the topic/contrast particle は. Marks the point after which a new state or continuing pattern began — often implying a contrast with what came before. The は emphasizes the 'from that point onward' aspect. Often used when a notable change occurred after the event. The main clause typically describes an ongoing state or habitual action, not a one-time event. For a stronger 'ever since' with permanent change, use 〜て以来 or 〜てからというもの.

Expresses that something is impossible or not permitted unless/until a prerequisite action is completed first. The main clause must be a negative expression (〜できない, 〜てはいけない, 〜は無理だ, etc.) stating what cannot happen without the condition. 〜てからでないと is slightly more conversational; 〜てからでなければ is more formal. The overall meaning is 'you must do X first, otherwise Y cannot happen'. Distinct from 〜てはじめて which is about experiential realization.

Expresses that one should do something while a favorable condition or window of time still exists. The positive form 〜うちに means 'while ~ (take the opportunity to do X)'. The negative form 〜ないうちに means 'before ~ happens (do X while the window is still open)'. Carries a sense of urgency — if you wait too long, the opportunity will be lost. Distinct from 〜間（に）, which is neutral about timing and lacks the '趁' (seize the moment) nuance.

Has three related uses: (1) 'along with / together with' (〜と一緒に, e.g. 家族とともに), (2) 'at the same time as / as ~ progresses' (simultaneous change, e.g. 年を取るとともに), (3) 'as well as / in addition to'. In temporal usage, it emphasizes parallel progression — as one thing changes, another changes with it. More formal and written than 〜ながら or 〜につれて. The two clauses often share the same subject or theme.

Expresses that right after one event or state, another event (often surprising or contrary) follows almost immediately. The か is optional but common. Unlike 〜たとたん, the second clause can describe a volitional action by someone other than the speaker. Never used for the speaker's own volitional action. Often conveys a sense of rapid, sometimes chaotic change — things happening one after another.

Expresses that the second event occurs while it is still hard to tell whether the first event has even finished — they nearly overlap. The same verb appears twice: once in affirmative dictionary form and once in negative (ない) form. The second clause must be past tense. Implies an extremely small time gap. More emphatic about near-simultaneity than 〜たとたん or 〜かと思うと.

Used in formal/business contexts to express that a planned, volitional action will be carried out as soon as a trigger event occurs. Unlike 〜たら or 〜たとたん, the second clause must be a volitional action (something the speaker intends to do). The first clause must be an event that will definitely happen. Common in business: 〜次第ご連絡します. The verb before 次第 is always in masu-stem form. Never used for past events or uncontrollable outcomes.

Used when the first action is a necessary prerequisite or preparatory step for the second. The second clause is a conscious decision, judgment, or action made after completing the first. Often used in formal explanations of procedures, decision-making, and evaluation. The first action involves deliberation, verification, or due process — not spontaneous physical actions. Distinct from 〜てから, which is neutral about whether the first task was a prerequisite.

Marks a past event as the turning point after which a new state or situation began and has continued to the present. The event is typically a significant, non-routine occurrence. The main clause describes a state that persists (not a one-time event). Often carries a sense that things have been different ever since. More formal and momentous than 〜てからは. Cannot be used for very recent events (use 〜てから for something that just happened).

A literary expression emphasizing that the second action happens with extreme speed — almost racing against the completion of the first. Implies eagerness, impatience, or reflex. The second clause is typically a past-tense action by the same subject. The first verb is always in dictionary form (present). Often used in narrative writing. Similar in meaning to 〜や否や but more vivid and less formal. Cannot be used for the speaker's own deliberate actions in polite contexts.

A formal, literary expression for two events occurring in immediate succession. Similar to 〜が早いか but more neutral in tone — does not necessarily imply the eagerness or impatience that が早いか carries. 〜や is the shorter, more classical form; 〜や否や (literally 'whether or not ~') is a rhetorical variant also meaning 'as soon as'. The second clause is always past tense. Common in newspaper writing, formal reports, and classical narration.

Expresses that immediately upon finishing one action, the subject performs another — often with a sense that the second action is abrupt, unexpected, or not socially expected. Both actions must be by the same subject. The second clause is always past tense and often describes a one-way action (sitting down, falling asleep, leaving) that doesn't invite a response. Similar to 〜が早いか but carries a nuance of 'and then without further ado / without doing anything else'.

Expresses that as soon as you do something, the result is immediately undone or the situation reverts — often with a tone of frustration or futility. Typically used for recurring, uncontrollable situations: things you clean get dirty again, things you learn you forget again, etc. The same subject usually performs or experiences both actions. Both dictionary form and た form can precede そばから with little difference. Distinct from other 'as soon as' patterns by its strong implication of reversal or futile repetition.

A formal expression used primarily in business, official announcements, and written contexts. 〜に先立って／に先立ち (adverbial) means 'prior to / in advance of (an event)'. 〜に先立つ (adnominal) modifies a following noun: 'preparatory ~', 'preliminary ~'. Often used for briefings, inspections, ceremonies, or rehearsals that take place before a main event. The event after 先立って is always a planned, formal activity — never a spontaneous action.

Emphasizes that ever since a pivotal past event, a profound and lasting change has continued. Stronger than 〜て以来 — it explicitly highlights that 'things are not the same as before'. The event is typically something life-changing or decisive. The main clause describes an ongoing altered state. The は is optional but adds emphasis. Often found in narrative or reflective writing. For milder, more neutral 'ever since', use 〜て以来.