Structure
Verb + 折（に(1)）
［い］Adjective + 折（に(1)）
［な］Adjective + な + 折（に(1)）
Noun + の + 折（に(1)）
(1) には、は
Details
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Formal
使用域
硬い
About 折には
When the noun 折 'fold' or 'pleat' is used adverbially with the case marking particle に, it indicates a time which may be used as an opportunity to do something. It is often translated as 'on the occasion of (A)', or 'when the chance of (A) comes up'. It is an expression that is primarily used as a formal, positive alternative for 時に, but there are times that it may indicate something negative.
折に may be seen after any structure that could connect to a noun, but will primarily appear after verbs in their standard forms, or nouns followed by の.
In most cases, 折に will be used to indicate things that happen 'from time to time', rather than one off events.
折に触れて - On the occasion of (A), always (B).
折があれば - If there is the chance of (A), (B).
折を見て - When the conditions are good for (A).
折も折 - At the exact moment of (A).
折に may be seen after any structure that could connect to a noun, but will primarily appear after verbs in their standard forms, or nouns followed by の.
-
こちらの旅館にいらっしゃる折には、事前の予約をお願いいたします。On the occasion that you will visit our ryokan, please make a booking before the fact.
- 今度お会いした折に、旅行へ行った時のお土産をお渡しします。When the chance comes up that we meet again soon, I'll give you the present that I got when I went on a trip.
- 卒業の折に担任の先生に手紙を渡そうと思っている。On the opportunity of my graduation, I am thinking that I'd like to give a letter to the teacher that was looking after me.
In most cases, 折に will be used to indicate things that happen 'from time to time', rather than one off events.
Caution
折に appears in several common expressions that each have a slightly different meaning.折に触れて - On the occasion of (A), always (B).
折があれば - If there is the chance of (A), (B).
折を見て - When the conditions are good for (A).
折も折 - At the exact moment of (A).
Synonyms
Examples
自伝：「初めてのパリへの出張の折にはルーヴル美術館に立ち寄った。」
Autobiography: 'On the occasion of my first trip to Paris, I stopped by the Louvre museum for a short visit.'
手紙、名誉あるゲストの再招待：「北海道にいらした折に、是非お寄りください！」
A letter, re-invitation of a reputable guest: 'Please, make sure to drop by when you come to Hokkaido.'
自伝：「京都への観光旅行の折に、駅で偶然小学校の先生に会った。」
Autobiography: 'On the occasion of a sightseeing trip to Kyoto, I came across my elementary school teacher at the train station.'
メール、本社の上司に：「お暇な折にぜひ我が支店にお越しください。」
E-mail to a superior from the head office: 'Please, make sure to come to our branch when you are free.'
献辞：「折に触れて相談に乗って下さった、敬愛してやまない友人、黒木智子さんに心から感謝いたします。」
Dedication: 'I am grateful from the bottom of my heart to my friend I greatly respect, Tomoko Kuroki, who has helped me wherever the occasion arose. '
折に触れて is a set expression meaning 'every time one can' or 'whenever possible'.
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折には – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
andrewkfiedler
For the question: メール、本社の上司に：「お暇____ぜひ我が支店にお越しください。」
I was thinking の +折 based on の 折 being a noun, but since it is an adjective as well it’s supposed to be な.
Is it possible both are correct? Or does the context make hima an adjective in this case?
nekoyama
Normally, only な is used.
暇 is always a na adjective since that’s a property of the word, it’s just not always used adjectivally. But in this case it is.
But in a sense, “context” also plays a role. For some reason the na adjective 暇 tends to be used with な with words like 折 or 時 and in many other cases, while the na adjective 多忙 (opposite of 暇) uses の like in ご多忙の折.
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