日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

~折に

~ori ni

on the occasion of (formal)

When to use it

Use ~折に in formal writing and polite speech to mean "on the occasion of / when the opportunity arises," typically in business letters, email openings and closings, and greetings. It carries a warmer, more courteous nuance than ~際に and is favored for pleasant or neutral occasions — avoid it for accidents, mistakes, or emergencies. It very often appears as ~折には or ~折は when setting up a polite request or invitation.

Formation

  • Verb: dictionary form or た-form + 折に — 上京する折に / お会いした折に (often with honorific forms: お越しの折に、ご来社の折に)
  • Noun: noun + の折に — 会議の折に、ご帰国の折に
  • な-adjective: rare; お暇な折に is about the only common case
  • い-adjective: essentially not used
  • Variants: 折には / 折は (topicalized, sets up a request), その折に ("on that occasion"), 折を見て ("when the moment is right")

Examples

  • When I'm next in Tokyo, I'd very much like to come pay my respects.

  • If you happen to be in the area, please do drop by.

  • I heard about that matter when we met the other day.

  • I will explain again at the next board meeting.

  • When the moment is right, I intend to propose a price revision.