JLPT N3 grammar
〜ついでに — Meaning & Examples
While doing X, also doing Y — X is the main errand, Y a small extra on the same trip. 買い物のついでに郵便局に寄った. Not simultaneous like ながら.
〜ついでに — While You're at It
〜ついでに = taking the opportunity of doing X, also doing Y — X is the main errand, and Y is a small extra you squeeze in because you're already out or already doing X.
Formation: dictionary form ／ た-form + ついでに ／ noun + の + ついでに
買い物のついでに、郵便局に寄った。
= While I was out shopping, I also stopped by the post office.
駅へ行くついでに、この手紙を出してきてくれない？
= Since you're going to the station anyway, could you mail this letter?
掃除のついでに、窓も拭いた。
= While cleaning, I wiped the windows too.
Three things to remember:
・X is the main purpose; Y is minor and cheap to add (you would not make a special trip for Y).
・Y happens in the same outing or the same session — one trip, two jobs.
・In requests it is casual: ついでに〜てくれる？ is fine between friends; with a boss, soften it (お手数ですが、ついでに…).
ついでに vs ながら:
散歩しながら買い物をした。 = I shopped while walking (two things at the same moment)
散歩のついでに買い物をした。 = I went for a walk and picked up some shopping on the way (a side errand tacked on)
Bonus — ついでに as a sentence adverb:
ついでに言うと、明日は休みですよ。 = By the way (while we're on the subject), tomorrow's a day off. 🛒
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on 〜ついでに. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 「買い物のついでに、郵便局に寄った」 means?
- I shopped at the post office
- I went to the post office instead of shopping
- I stopped by the post office on my way while out shopping
- I forgot to go shopping
Show answer
Answer: I stopped by the post office on my way while out shopping
〜ついでに = taking the opportunity of X to also do a small extra Y.
2. What separates 散歩のついでに買い物をした from 散歩しながら買い物をした?
- They mean exactly the same thing
- ながら is only for the past
- ついでに is only used for requests
- ついでに = a side errand added to an outing; ながら = two actions at the same moment
Show answer
Answer: ついでに = a side errand added to an outing; ながら = two actions at the same moment
ついでに adds a minor extra task to the main one; ながら describes two simultaneous actions.
Practise 〜ついでに in the free app
This point is part of the “🕐 Occasions and Moments — たびに・ついでに・最中・ようとする” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N3 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N3 grammar points
From the same lesson: 🕐 Occasions and Moments — たびに・ついでに・最中・ようとする
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜ついでに mean?
While doing X, also doing Y — X is the main errand, Y a small extra on the same trip. 買い物のついでに郵便局に寄った. Not simultaneous like ながら.
Is 〜ついでに on the JLPT N3 test?
〜ついでに is taught in the JLPT N3 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “🕐 Occasions and Moments — たびに・ついでに・最中・ようとする”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜ついでに?
Open the “🕐 Occasions and Moments — たびに・ついでに・最中・ようとする” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N3 mock exams, with no ads.