矢先(やさき)

やさき
noun
just when, on the verge of
time-general
1. just when, right when, at the very moment
A point in time just as something was about to happen or had just started. Typically followed by an unexpected or inconvenient event.
出(で)かけようとした矢先(やさき)に雨(あめ)が降(ふ)り出(だ)した。
Just as I was about to leave, it started raining.
回復(かいふく)しかけた矢先(やさき)に、また熱(ねつ)が出(で)た。
Just when I was starting to recover, I got a fever again.
新(あたら)しい仕事(しごと)に慣(な)れてきた矢先(やさき)に転勤(てんきん)を命(めい)じられて途方(とほう)に暮(く)れた。
Just when I was getting used to my new job, I was ordered to transfer and felt completely lost.

Usage

Used in the pattern ～した矢先(やさき)に or ～しようとした矢先(やさき)に. The event that follows is almost always unexpected, inconvenient, or unfortunate. This creates a sense of bad timing or irony.

Etymology

矢先(やさき) literally means "arrowhead" (矢(や) = arrow, 先(さき) = tip). The metaphor suggests the precise point where the arrow is aimed — hence, the exact moment.

Common patterns

general
Added 2026.2.26 21:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13663_yasaki