-기(가) 무섭게
no sooner … than
Level 5 · Connective
Explanation
The second event follows instantly, almost simultaneously, stronger than -자마자. Attaches to verb stems with no tense before -기.
Examples
신제품이 나오기가 무섭게 다 팔렸다.
No sooner was the new product out than it sold out.
아이는 집에 들어오기 무섭게 냉장고 문을 열었다.
The child opened the fridge the moment he came in.
월급을 받기가 무섭게 카드 값으로 다 나갔다.
My salary went on card bills as soon as it came in.
TOPIK note
TOPIK II Reading 3–4 (≈ -자마자).