ついでに

つ

い

で

に

Common wordJLPTN3

Meanings

1

adverb

while one is at it; incidentally; on the occasion of

usually written using kana alone

Used when doing something extra or additional while already engaged in another activity, or when taking the opportunity to do something. Often translates to 'while I'm at it', 'on my way', or 'by the way'.

買かい

物もの

に

行い

く

なら

、

ついで

に

郵ゆう

便びん

局きょく

に

寄よ

っ

て

き

て

。

If you're going shopping, stop by the post office while you're at it.

ついでに言いうと、明日あしたの会かい議ぎは中ちゅう止しになったよ。

Incidentally, tomorrow's meeting has been canceled.

出しゅっ張ちょうのついでに観かん光こうもしてきた。

I did some sightseeing while I was on my business trip.

Usage patterns

〈動どう詞し〉ついでに〈動どう詞し〉while doing one thing, also do another
買かい物ものに行いくついでに、図と書しょ館かんに本ほんを返かえした。
While going shopping, I also returned a book to the library.
〈事こと〉のついでにon the occasion of / while (doing) something
出しゅっ張ちょうのついでに、実じっ家かに顔かおを出だした。
While on a business trip, I dropped by my parents' house.
ついでに、〈動どう詞し〉while I'm at it, ... (adding an extra action)
コンビニに行いくなら、ついでにゴミを出だしてきてくれる？
If you're going to the convenience store, could you take out the trash while you're at it?

Grammar

ついでにWhile at it; taking the opportunityN3

Kanji

序preface, beginning, order

Related words

ちなみに
ちなみに adds related but separate information (like 'by the way'), while ついでに means doing something extra while already engaged in another activity or opportunity.
かたがた
旁々 is a formal, written expression for doing something on the occasion of another act (e.g. in letters), whereas ついでに is the everyday, spoken equivalent.
かねてN1
兼ねて means combining two purposes into a single trip or act, while ついでに frames one action as an extra add-on to another that's already happening.

Written forms

Applies to each form listed below

rarely-used kanji form

序ついでに
Rare kanji form; may be encountered in older or formal writing.
序ついでに
Rare kanji form; may be encountered in older or formal writing.

Etymology

Derived from the noun 序で (ついで, 'order' or 'opportunity') + the particle に. The exact historical development is uncertain, but it has been used adverbially since at least the Edo period.