N3Chapter 58Unit 5 · Written and Lexical Japanese

Sequence and Event Triggers

Learning objectives

  • Distinguish a formal occasion from an unexpected instant.
  • Mark a prerequisite that must occur first.
  • Use a changing time window before an opportunity disappears.
N3 context
Sequence is not only “before” and “after.” These forms show whether an event is formal, sudden, newly revelatory, a strict prerequisite, or possible only within a limited window.
Vocabulary語彙
6 terms

  • 手続き

    noun

    てつづき

    procedure

  • 直後

    noun

    ちょくご

    immediately after

  • 許可

    noun

    きょか

    permission

  • 機会

    noun

    きかい

    opportunity

  • 実感する

    verb

    じっかんする

    to realise through experience

  • 突然

    adv

    とつぜん

    suddenly

Pattern contrast使い分け

How are the two events related?

V-る／V-た／Nの際（に）

formal occasion

when; on the occasion of

A formal time or occasion, common in guidance and notices.

入館の際、身分証を提示してください。

Please show identification when entering.

V-たとたん（に）

sudden trigger

the moment; just as

A sudden, often unexpected event follows immediately. The second event is not normally a deliberate command or plan.

外に出たとたん、雨が降り出した。

The moment I went outside, it started raining.

V-てはじめて

realisation

only after; not until

The first event enables a new realisation, state, or experience.

一人で暮らしてはじめて、家事の大変さが分かった。

Only after living alone did I understand how demanding housework is.

V-てからでないと

prerequisite

not until after; unless first

The first action is a necessary prerequisite for the second.

上司の許可を得てからでないと、公開できない。

It cannot be published until permission is obtained from a manager.

plain + うちに

time window

while; before a state changes

Act within a time or state that may end. With negative verbs: before it happens.

忘れないうちに、メモしておこう。

I’ll note it down before I forget.

とたん is not a planned sequence

家に着いたとたん、電話が鳴った is natural because the call is sudden. For a deliberate next action, use 家に着いてから、電話した.

Guided practice練習

Make the event relationship explicit.

  1. 1.Formal notice: return this card when leaving.

  2. 2.The computer stopped the instant you opened the file.

  3. 3.You cannot register until you verify your email address.
Reading practice読解

Using the shared studio

procedural notice

Target: 3 minutes
スタジオを利用する際は、受付で予約番号を伝えてください。説明を受けてからでないと、機材を使うことはできません。初めての方は、担当者がいるうちに操作方法を確認してください。以前、利用者が電源を入れたとたんに警告音が鳴ったことがありましたが、正しい順序で操作すれば問題ありません。
機材（きざい）
equipment
警告音（けいこくおん）
warning sound
  1. What must happen before equipment can be used?
  2. Why should first-time users ask while staff are present?
Listening rehearsal聴解

A sudden interruption

Listen for the immediate trigger.

Listen before opening the transcript.
  1. What happened immediately, and what was understood later?
Key takeawaysまとめ
  • 1際 marks a formal occasion; とたん marks a sudden immediate event.
  • 2てはじめて introduces a newly possible realisation.
  • 3てからでないと sets a prerequisite; うちに uses a limited time window.

Knowledge Check

Practice quiz
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申し込みの＿＿、この番号が必要です。