GRAMMAR
〜かと思ったら
just when ~ (unexpected result)
Explanation
NOTE
〜かと思ったら means no sooner had X than Y or just when X happened, Y — used when something unexpected follows immediately after the first action.
赤ちゃんは笑ったかと思ったら、急に泣き出した。
No sooner had the baby laughed than she suddenly started crying.
The second clause is usually surprising, sudden, or contrary to expectation.
NOTE
The subject of both clauses is usually the same third person, and the speaker observes the unexpected change — so it isn't used for the speaker's own actions.
NOTE
Attach 〜かと思ったら directly to the verb past form (V-た). The final clause is in non-past, and never expresses a command, invitation, or volition.
STRUCTURE
Vた
かと<ruby>思<rt>おも</rt></ruby>ったら息子は帰って来たかと思ったら、すぐに出かけた。
Musuko wa kaette kita ka to omottara, sugu ni dekaketa.
No sooner had my son come home than he went out again.
空が暗くなったかと思ったら、雨が降り出した。
Sora ga kuraku natta ka to omottara, ame ga furidashita.
Just when the sky got dark, it started to rain.
彼は席に座ったかと思ったら、もう寝ていた。
Kare wa seki ni suwatta ka to omottara, mou nete ita.
No sooner had he sat down than he was already asleep.
Practice exercises
1
電話をかけようとした矢先に、相手からかかってきたかと思ったら、違う人だった。
Just as I was about to make a call, just when I thought I received a call from the other person, it was someone else.
Answer
かかってきたかと思ったら
2
会議が終わったかと思ったら、すぐに次の予定が入った。
Just when I thought the meeting finished, the next appointment was immediately scheduled.
Answer
終わったかと思ったら
3
子供は急泣き出したかと思ったら、すぐ笑い始めた。
Just when I thought the child suddenly burst into tears, they immediately started laughing.
Answer
泣き出したかと思ったら
4
店員が現れたとたんに、彼は逃げ出したかと思ったら、また戻ってきて謝った。
The moment the store clerk appeared, just when I thought he ran away, he came back and apologized.
Answer
逃げ出したかと思ったら
5
雨が止んだかと思ったら、また雷が鳴り出した。
Just when I thought the rain stopped, thunder started rumbling again.
Answer
止んだかと思ったら