途端(とたん)

とたん
noun
the moment, just as
1. the moment, just as, as soon as
The exact moment when something happens, typically used in the pattern 〜た途端(とたん)(に) to express that something occurred immediately after another action.
家(いえ)を出(で)た途端(とたん)に雨(あめ)が降(ふ)り始(はじ)めた。
The moment I left the house, it started raining.
〜た途端に = the moment ~
彼(かれ)の顔(かお)を見(み)た途端(とたん)、昔(むかし)のことを思(おも)い出(だ)した。
The moment I saw his face, I remembered the old days.
電話(でんわ)が切(き)れた途端(とたん)に後悔(こうかい)した。
I felt regret the moment the call ended.

GRAMMAR: 途端(とたん) is typically used in the pattern 「Verb た-form + 途端(とたん)(に)」 meaning 'the moment that ~' or 'as soon as ~'. The に is optional.

PATTERN:

  • 〜た途端(とたん)(に) = the moment ~, as soon as ~

USAGE NOTES:

  • The second action usually happens immediately and unexpectedly
  • Often used for sudden changes or realizations
  • Similar to 〜たとたん, 〜やいなや, 〜が早(はや)いか

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

NOTE: The kanji 途端(とたん) literally means 'the edge of the path' - the precise moment of transition.

Related Words

Related: 同時(どうじ) (at the same time)
general
Added 2026.1.12 18:46 · Revised 2026.5.26 4:11
03000/03462_totan