JLPT N2 Grammar
· Upper Intermediate
Search pages and navigate
· Upper Intermediate
While you are at it; incidentally
Category: Simultaneous & Purpose
The grammar pattern "動詞辞書形・た形 ＋ ついでに / 名詞 ＋ のついでに" is used to indicate that while doing action A (the main purpose), one takes the opportunity to do action B (a secondary task). Action B is usually something small or convenient that can be done at the same time or place. This pattern emphasizes the convenience or coincidence of doing action B while doing action A. It is often used in everyday conversations to describe routine tasks or errands.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary form or past form of a verb | 動詞辞書形・た形 + ついでに | 行った + ついでに = 行ったついでに |
| Noun | 名詞 + のついでに | 散歩 + のついでに = 散歩のついでに |
| Verb in dictionary form or past form | 動詞辞書形・た形 + ついでに | 部屋を掃除する + ついでに = 部屋を掃除するついでに |
郵便局へ行ったついでに、コンビニで切手を買ってきた。
Yūbin-kyoku e itta tsuide ni, konbini de kitte o kaimaketa.
While I was going to the post office, I bought some stamps at the convenience store.
郵便局へ行った (went to the post office) + ついでに (incidentally) + コンビニで切手を買ってきた (bought stamps at the convenience store)
散歩のついでに、パン屋に寄って朝食のパンを買った。
Sanpo no tsuide ni, pan'ya ni yotte asagohan no pan o katta.
While I was taking a walk, I stopped by the bakery to buy some bread for breakfast.
散歩の (taking a walk) + ついでに (incidentally) + パン屋に寄って朝食のパンを買った (stopped by the bakery to buy bread for breakfast)
部屋を掃除するついでに、いらなくなった本を整理した。
Heya o sōji suru tsuide ni, iranakatta hon o tōrikaeta.
While I was cleaning the room, I organized the books that I no longer needed.
部屋を掃除する (cleaning the room) + ついでに (incidentally) + いらなくなった本を整理した (organized the books that I no longer needed)
This pattern is used to describe routine tasks or errands that are done while doing something else. It is often used in everyday conversations to describe actions that are done incidentally or conveniently. The dictionary form or past form of the verb is used to indicate the main action, while the secondary action is indicated by the phrase "ついでに" or "のついでに". This pattern is similar to "がてら", but "がてら" implies a more integrated relationship between the two actions.
This pattern is used to describe actions that are done incidentally or conveniently, so it should not be used when the second action is more important than the first.
While both patterns are used to describe actions that are done while doing something else, 'がてら' implies a more integrated relationship between the two actions.
This pattern requires the use of the dictionary form or past form of the verb to indicate the main action, so using the stem form is incorrect.
Pay attention to the context and the relationship between the two actions. If the second action is more integrated with the first action, use 'がてら' instead. If the second action is done incidentally or conveniently, use this pattern.
郵便局へ行った______、コンビニで切手を買ってきた。
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.