while, incidentally, at the same time (ついでに) – Japanese Grammar ついでに (tsuide ni)

Q: What JLPT level is ついでに?

JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Q: How do you use ついでに in a sentence?

Attach ついでに to the appropriate verb or noun form. While, incidentally, at the same time

Q: Is ついでに formal or casual Japanese?

ついでに can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

ついでに

N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

tsuide ni

while, incidentally, at the same time

わけではない wake dewa nai てばかりいる te bakari iru ところで tokoro de とすれば to sureba 別に～ない betsu ni~nai うちに uchi ni 向け muke ずつ zutsu 結果 kekka には ni wa ごとに goto ni さて sate んだって ndatte ないと naito じゃない janai たて tate も～ば～も mo~ba~mo たって tatte に対して ni taishite ば～ほど ba~hodo わけではない wake dewa nai てばかりいる te bakari iru ところで tokoro de とすれば to sureba 別に～ない betsu ni~nai うちに uchi ni 向け muke ずつ zutsu 結果 kekka には ni wa ごとに goto ni さて sate んだって ndatte ないと naito じゃない janai たて tate も～ば～も mo~ba~mo たって tatte に対して ni taishite ば～ほど ba~hodo

🃏 Flashcard

ついでに

tsuide ni

Tap to reveal usage

while, incidentally, at the same time

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N3

Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Reading tsuide ni

Post ID 50968

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

while, incidentally, at the same time

📖 How to use it

Expresses doing something incidentally while doing another action, meaning 'while at it' or 'by the way'.

Attaches to Attach to the past tense or dictionary form of a verb, or to a noun + の. If the main action is already completed or about to be done, past tense or dictionary form is used. Example: 買い物のついでに (while shopping) or 出かけるついでに (while going out).

ついでに is used when you take advantage of an opportunity to do something else at the same time or place. It implies the main action is the primary reason, and the secondary action is done because it's convenient. For example, if you go to the bank, you might also buy stamps nearby. The pattern is often translated as 'while I'm at it' or 'incidentally'.

You attach ついでに to the past tense or dictionary form of a verb, or to a noun with の. So you say 買い物のついでに, not 買い物ついでに. Also, the main action is usually stated before ついでに, and the secondary action comes after. The sentence structure is: [main action] ついでに [secondary action]. Note that the main action is the one you're already doing, and the secondary action is the bonus.

This pattern is neutral in register and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese, but it's more common in everyday conversation. It's not overly formal or casual, so you can use it in most situations.

銀行に行ったついでに、切手を買った。

Ginkou ni itta tsuide ni, kitte o katta.

I bought stamps while I was at the bank.

買い物のついでに、友達の家に寄った。

Kaimono no tsuide ni, tomodachi no ie ni yotta.

I stopped by my friend's house while I was out shopping.

出かけるついでに、ゴミを出してきてください。

Dekakeru tsuide ni, gomi o dashite kite kudasai.

Please take out the trash while you're going out.

Not ついでに vs. ながらながら describes two actions done simultaneously by the same person, like eating while watching TV. ついでに describes doing a secondary action because you are already doing a main action, not necessarily at the exact same time. For example, 歩きながら音楽を聞く (listen to music while walking) vs. 散歩のついでに郵便局に行く (go to the post office while on a walk).

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

ついでに

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat ついでに three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using ついでに. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns

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ついに

finally ~; at last ~; in the end

つまり

in other words; in summary; in short

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern ついでに mean? ▼

While, incidentally, at the same time

What JLPT level is ついでに? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use ついでに in a sentence? ▼

Attach ついでに (tsuide ni) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is ついでに formal or casual Japanese? ▼

ついでに is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember ついでに long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.