To describe a rapid sequence of events, Modern Standard Arabic uses a paired particle structure.
The Paired Particles (ما إن ... حتى)
To say "no sooner had... than...", introduce the first event with:
| no sooner | ما إنmâ 'in |
After stating the first action and its subject, use حتى to introduce the immediate consequence. Both verbs—the initial action and the resulting action—must be in the past tense. Even though English uses the past perfect for the first event ("had stormed"), Arabic uses the simple past tense for both.
| No sooner had the thief stormed the bank than the police gathered. | ما إن اقتحم اللص البنك حتى تجمهرت الشرطة.mâ ini iqtahama allissu albanka hattâ tajamharati ashshurtatu. |
| No sooner had the rain poured down than the people gathered inside the restaurant. | ما إن انهمر المطر حتى تجمهر الناس داخل المطعم.mâ ini nhamara al-mataru hattâ tajamhara an-nâsu dâkhila al-matami |
Narrating Dramatic Actions
This structure frequently appears in fast-paced storytelling for dramatic moments like sudden collisions, surprise attacks, or quick physical reactions.
| No sooner had the car crashed into the wall than the glass scattered. | ما إن ارتطمت السيارة بالجدار حتى تطاير الزجاج.maa ini irtatamati s-sayyaaratu bil-jidaari hattaa tataayara z-zujaaju |
| No sooner had the tiger pounced on the gazelle than it trembled. | ما إن انقض النمر على الغزال حتى ارتعش.mâ ini inqadda annamiru alâ alghazâli hattâ irtaasha. |
| No sooner had the female journalists stormed the hall than the female minister stammered. | ما إن اقتحمت الصحفيات القاعة حتى تلعثمت الوزيرة.mā ini iqtahamati assahafiyyâtu alqâ'ata hattâ tala'thamati alwazîratu |
| No sooner had the hot water spilled than it evaporated. | ما إن انسكب الماء الساخن حتى تبخر.mâ ini insakaba al-mâ'u as-sâkhinu hattâ tabakhkhara. |
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