〜か〜ないかのうちに
JLPT N2かないかのうちに
almost before ~ had finished
接続 · How it attaches
動詞辞書形 ＋ か ＋ 同じ動詞のない形 ＋ かのうちに
Nuance
The tightest of the "immediately after" set — the first action is not even complete when the second starts. The same verb has to appear twice, which is what 問題8 tests about it.
Example sentences
ベルが鳴るか鳴らないかのうちに、生徒たちは教室を飛び出した。
The bell had scarcely rung before the students bolted from the classroom.
Not to be confused with
- 〜たとたん（に） — 〜たとたん follows a completed action; here the action is still finishing.