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〜拍子に・〜はずみで

the moment (and by accident), as a result of (a sudden movement)

Verb た-form + 拍子に / はずみで · 何かの拍子に

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拍子に says that at the moment of one sudden action, something else happened by accident: 転んだ拍子に、眼鏡が落ちた, "when I fell over, my glasses came off".

The first half is usually an abrupt physical movement (falling, standing up, sneezing, bumping into something), and the second half is an unintended result. はずみで (弾みで) means the same, and はずみに is also used.

何かの拍子に means "for some reason or other, by chance": 何かの拍子に、昔のことを思い出す, "every now and then, something makes me remember the past".

It's close to たとたん (N3), but 拍子に stresses the accidental knock-on effect. 拍子 means "rhythm, beat", as in the beat that triggers the next thing.

Examples

  • 転ころんだ拍子ひょうしに、眼鏡めがねが落おちた。

    When I fell over, my glasses came off.

  • 立たち上あがった拍子ひょうしに、頭あたまをぶつけた。

    I banged my head as I stood up.

  • くしゃみをした拍子ひょうしに、腰こしを痛いためた。

    I hurt my back when I sneezed.

  • 何なにかの拍子ひょうしに、昔むかしのことを思おもい出だす。

    Every now and then, something makes me remember the past.

  • 人ひととぶつかったはずみで、コップが割われた。

    I bumped into someone and the glass broke.

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