ついで

つ

い

で

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

noun

opportunity; occasion; chance

usually written using kana alone

Usually an incidental opportunity that arises while doing something else, especially in patterns like 〜のついでに and ついでがある.

買かい物もののついでに郵ゆう便びん局きょくへ寄よった。
While I was out shopping, I stopped by the post office.

ついでがあったら、この書しょ類るいも届とどけてください。

If you get a chance, please deliver these documents too.

2

noun

order; sequence

archaic

Archaic original sense referring to the order or sequence of things; modern Japanese normally uses 順序 or similar words for this meaning.

古ふるい文ぶん章しょうでは、「ついで」が物もの事ごとの順じゅん序じょを表あらわすことがある。
In old writing, ついで can refer to the order of things.

3

noun

successor

archaic

Archaic noun use meaning a person who comes next or succeeds someone; not a normal modern standalone use.

古ふるい用よう法ほうでは、「ついで」が後あとを継つぐ人ひとを指さすこともあった。
In old usage, ついで could also refer to a person who succeeds someone.

Written forms

ついでUsage99%
The modern sense is usually written in kana; this is the safest spelling in ordinary writing.
序ついでUsage1%
Attested kanji spelling with okurigana for the modern word, but less common than kana in everyday writing.
序ついでUsage<1%
Attested spelling, but it is visually ambiguous because 序 is much more often read じょ in other words and meanings.

Kanji

序preface, beginning, order

Similar words

機き会かい
A general word for an opportunity or occasion; ついで often implies an incidental chance while already doing something else.
ついでに
A very common adverbial phrase meaning 'while one is at it' or 'on the way'; it is formed from ついで plus に.
順じゅん序じょ
The normal modern word for 'order' or 'sequence'; the corresponding sense of ついで is archaic.

Etymology

'order; sequence' as the original meaning. The modern 'opportunity; occasion' sense is conventionally connected with doing something in the course or sequence of another action; the exact historical development is not specified here.