たとたんに

JLPT Level: N3
Meanings

The instant or moment

As soon as

Just as

Usage

V-た + とたんに

Nの + とたんに

Explanation
たとたんに expresses that something happens immediately at the very moment another event occurs. It emphasizes a sudden, almost immediate transition from one action/state to another, with little to no time between them. It can feel dramatic or surprising and often contrasts with more neutral connectors like すぐに. Commonly used after a verb in the past plain form (V-た) or after a noun (Nの) to describe what happens right after that action or state.
電車を降りたとたんに、雨が降り出した。
でんしゃをおりたとたんに、あめがふりだした。

The moment I got off the train, it started raining.

彼がドアを開けたとたんに、猫が部屋に飛び込んできた。
かれがドアをあけたとたんに、ねこがへやにとびこんできた。

As soon as he opened the door, a cat rushed into the room.

料理を完成させたとたんに、電話が鳴った。
りょうりをかんせいさせたとたんに、でんわがなった。

Just as I finished the dish, the phone rang.