While you're at it: 〜ついでに
Verb (dictionary / た) / Noun + の + ついでに
Verb / Noun + の + ついでに: “while you're at it, taking the chance”, using a main action to do a second one along the way.
In short
〜ついでに means “while you're at it, taking the opportunity”: you do a main thing, and take the chance to do something else along the way. 買い物のついでに、郵便局に寄る, “I'll drop into the post office while I'm out shopping”.
- 買い物のついでに、図書館に本を返してきた。かいもののついでに、としょかんにほんをかえしてきた。While I was out shopping, I took the chance to return some books to the library.
- 京都へ行ったついでに、名古屋にも寄った。きょうとへいったついでに、なごやにもよった。While I was in Kyoto, I also stopped off in Nagoya.
- コンビニに行くなら、ついでに牛乳を買ってきて。こんびににいくなら、ついでにぎゅうにゅうをかってきて。If you're going to the convenience store, pick up some milk while you're there.
The basics
ついで refers to an opportunity that comes up along the way. 〜ついでに puts the main action first (the reason you're going out, what you're really doing), then adds a secondary action you do while you're at it. It's economy of effort: one trip, two things done — English “while you're at it”, “on the way”.
While I was out shopping, I stopped at the bank.
- noun
- grammatical form
- verb
- 台所に行くついでに、水を持ってきて。だいどころにいくついでに、みずをもってきて。Since you're going to the kitchen, bring me some water.
- 東京へ仕事で行ったついでに、美術館を見てきた。とうきょうへしごとでいったついでに、びじゅつかんをみてきた。While I was in Tokyo on business, I took the chance to visit a museum.
How to form it
Verb in the dictionary form (the action is in progress or coming up) or the た-form (the action has happened), noun + の. ついでに is also used on its own, at the start of a sentence: “by the way, while we're at it”.
| Base | Formation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb (upcoming) | dictionary + ついでに | 出かけるついでに |
| verb (done) | た-form + ついでに | 京都に来たついでに |
| action noun | 〜の + ついでに | 散歩のついでに |
| on its own | ついでに、〜 | ついでに、これもお願い |
- ついでに、これもコピーしてもらえる？ついでに、これもこぴーしてもらえる？While you're at it, could you photocopy this too?
- 散歩のついでに、川沿いの店でお茶を買った。さんぽのついでに、かわぞいのみせでおちゃをかった。During my walk, I took the chance to buy tea at a shop by the river.
ついでに or ながら?
ながら (N5) describes two actions done at exactly the same time, by the same person: 音楽を聞きながら歩く. ついでに describes two actions done one after the other, the second taking advantage of the first. And the order matters: what comes before ついでに is the main action.
| Sentence | What's the main thing |
|---|---|
| 買い物のついでに、郵便局に寄った | the shopping (the post office is extra) |
| 郵便局に行ったついでに、買い物をした | the post office (the shopping is extra) |
| 歩きながら電話した | two simultaneous actions |
- 歩きながら、母に電話した。あるきながら、ははにでんわした。I called my mother while I was walking.
Common mistakes
- Reversing the main action: what comes before ついでに is the reason for the trip; what comes after is the bonus.
- Using ついでに for two simultaneous actions: “eat while watching TV” is テレビを見ながら食べる.
- Forgetting の after a noun: 散歩ついでに exists in speech, but the basic form is 散歩のついでに.
7 exercises on this point
Particles to choose, sentences to put back in order, translations: marked straight away, then reviewed at the right time. This JLPT N3 point is on the Sagano Line (Travel) of the Kyoto lines.