connective N2 uncommon writtenliterary
折 — time
折
Meaning
- when ~ / on the occasion of ~ / at such a time — a polite, warm 'when,' common in letters and set greetings
Key sentence
お近くにお越しの折には、ぜひお立ち寄りください。
When you happen to be nearby, please do drop in.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (+の) / Verb (plain) | N + の折に / V(plain) + 折に（also 折には, この折） | 上京の折に / お会いした折に |
When: Polite and somewhat formal — frequent in correspondence and seasonal greetings (寒い折, 暑さの折). Warmer than 際 or とき.
Examples
上京の折には、お知らせください。
When you come up to Tokyo, please let me know.
寒さの折、どうぞご自愛ください。
In this cold season, please take care of yourself.
When you can't use it
- Polite and courteous in tone; suited to refined or written contexts, not blunt everyday speech. Often used of a welcome or opportune occasion.
Easily confused with
See 折 in real sentences
Jengo shows 折 the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar. Editorial confidence: medium.