〜ついでに (tsuide ni)

JLPT N3

How to say you'll do a second thing while doing the first — “while I'm at it.”

Meaning

“While ~ / taking the opportunity of ~.” Do a secondary action on the occasion of a main one.

Formation

• Verb (dictionary / た-form) + ついでに

• Noun + の + ついでに

Examples

郵便局に行くついでに、コンビニで昼ご飯を買った。

Yūbinkyoku ni iku tsuide ni, konbini de hirugohan o katta. — While going to the post office, I bought lunch at the convenience store.

掃除するついでに、いらない服も捨てた。

Sōji suru tsuide ni, iranai fuku mo suteta. — While cleaning, I also threw out clothes I didn't need.

散歩のついでに、新しいカフェをのぞいてみた。

Sanpo no tsuide ni, atarashii kafe o nozoite mita. — While on my walk, I popped into the new café.

出かけるついでに、この手紙を出してくれない？

Dekakeru tsuide ni, kono tegami o dashite kurenai? — While you're heading out, could you mail this letter?

How it works

ついでに marks a second action done conveniently on the occasion of the first. The main action would happen anyway; the second just piggybacks on it.

Compared with similar expressions

• 〜ついでに — while doing X, also do Y (Y piggybacks).

• 〜ながら — doing X and Y at the same time.

• 〜とき — when (just timing, no extra-task nuance).

Common mistakes

• Noun needs の: 買い物のついでに

• The main action is why you're out; ついでに adds the extra one.

Related grammar

• 〜ながら — while (simultaneous)

• 〜うちに — while

• 〜とき — when