か～ないかのうちに (ka-nai-ka-no-uchi-ni): Just as; before even finishing
～か～ないかのうちに (ka-nai-ka-no-uchi-ni)
Meaning
Just as; before even finishing
Formation and usage
V dictionary + か + Vない + かのうちに
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Events occur so close together that the first may not have fully finished; commonly describes actual events.
Examples
会議が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。
The power failed just as the meeting was starting.
試験が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。
The power failed just as the exam was starting.
研修が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。
The power failed just as the training session was starting.
発表会が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。
The power failed just as the presentation event was starting.
面接が始まるか始まらないかのうちに、停電した。
The power failed just as the interview was starting.
How related patterns differ
が早いか, なり, and や否や narrate an immediate following event. か～ないかのうちに suggests the first may not yet have finished. そばから often describes an action being repeated or undone, rather than simply a sequence.