否いなや

expression

as soon as; no sooner than; one way or another

Literary or formal expression used after a verb in the dictionary form to mean 'as soon as' or 'whether or not'. Often seen in written Japanese.

• 彼かれは家いえに着つくや否いなや、電でん話わをかけ始はじめた。

  As soon as he arrived home, he started making phone calls.

• 成せい功こうするや否いなやは、努ど力りょく次し第だいだ。

  Whether you succeed or not depends on your effort.

noun

objection

Rare noun use meaning 'objection' or 'denial'. Mostly found in classical or formal contexts; modern Japanese prefers 異議 or 反対.

• 彼かれの提てい案あんに否いなやを唱となえる者ものは誰だれもいなかった。

  No one raised an objection to his proposal.