# 折に: when; at the time; on the occasion ~ > Learn how to use 折に, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning when or on the occasion of, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-ori-ni/ **折(おり)に** means **when; at the time; on the occasion ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something happens (or you do something) at a particular, often favorable, moment or opportunity, with a polite tone. This grammar point appears in formal correspondence, business settings, polite speech, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to add a respectful, occasion‑centered nuance to your Japanese, **折(おり)に** is a valuable pattern to learn because it shifts the focus from a simple time to a courteous, opportune moment.
Polite timing, not clock time: 折(おり)に frames a moment as a special occasion worth acknowledging.
## What does 折(おり)に mean? Use **折(おり)に** when you want to indicate that something takes place “on the occasion of” something else — especially when the occasion carries a positive, polite, or gracious feel. Unlike plain time markers, 折(おり)に softens the sentence and shows consideration. Natural translations include: - when; at the time; on the occasion of Notice the underlying image: the kanji 折おり originally means “to bend” or “to fold,” evoking the idea of a natural bend in time — a moment that presents itself. That imagery helps you internalise why it’s used for pleasant, somewhat planned coincidences rather than sudden or neutral events. ## How to form 折(おり)に
Noun ＋ の   折(おり)に
Verb (dictionary form) ＋ 折(おり)に

→ 折(おり)には, 折(おり)も, 折から(おりから) … all possible with the same base

Examples of the pattern: - 出張しゅっちょうの折(おり)に - お近ちかくにお越こしの折(おり)には - 帰国きこくする折(おり)に The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, a distractor might place it after a た‑form or an adjective, which is incorrect. Stick to plain‑form verbs or noun‑の. ## When is 折(おり)に used? Use **折(おり)に** in situations like: - extending polite invitations or making requests - referring to future opportunities in business letters or speeches - expressing gratitude or apologies tied to a specific occasion - adding a courteous softening to formal narrative Tone and register: - clearly polite; common in formal speech, keigo‑rich emails, and official announcements - less frequent in casual conversation — using it with friends can sound overly stiff Expect to see it in JLPT N1 reading comprehension (letters, public notices) and occasionally in listening (formal announcements). ## 折(おり)に example sentences
お近ちかくにお越こしの折(おり)には、ぜひお立たち寄よりください。
When you are in the neighbourhood, please feel free to drop by.
polite invitation
またお目めにかかれる折(おり)を楽たのしみにしております。
I look forward to the next occasion when we can meet.
formal closing
先日せんじつお会あいした折(おり)に、貴重きちょうなアドバイスをいただきありがとうございました。
Thank you for the valuable advice you gave me the last time we met.
gratitude
出張しゅっちょうで東京とうきょうに参まいった折(おり)に、大学だいがくの先輩せんぱいを訪たずねました。
When I was in Tokyo on business, I visited a senior from university.
polite narrative
またお便たよりする折(おり)がございましたら、どうぞよろしくお願ねがいいたします。
Should there be another occasion to write to you, I look forward to your kind support.
formal request
After reading each sentence, ask what job **折(おり)に** is doing: it’s not just marking time — it’s placing the action inside a polite, often positive frame. That awareness makes the pattern stick better than a one‑word translation. ## Nuance of 折(おり)に The key nuance is **“a courteous, opportune moment.”** It signals that the speaker views the timing as a favourable occasion and treats it with respect. This matters because learners often default to 時とき or 際さい without realising that 折(おり)に carries an extra layer of politeness and anticipation. For example: - 上京じょうきょうの折(おり)にぜひご連絡(れんらく)ください — not just “when you come to Tokyo,” but “on the happy occasion of your visit to Tokyo.” - It often implies the speaker is looking forward to that moment, making it ideal for invitations and farewells. In contrast, neutral or negative events usually avoid 折(おり)に, precisely because it would clash with the gracious tone.
💡
Think of 折(おり)に as a red carpet for your sentence — it elevates a simple moment into a polite occasion.
## 折(おり)に vs 際(さい)に Both **折(おり)に** and **際(さい)に** can mean “on the occasion of” or “when,” but they sit at different levels of formality and warmth.
折(おり)に
Polite & gracious
Use for positive, courteous occasions — invitations, thanks, well‑wishing.
またお会い(あい)できる折(おり)を楽しみ(たのしみ)にしています。
I look forward to the opportunity to see you again.
vs
際(さい)に
Formal & neutral
Use for general formal events, procedures, or instructions — even slightly negative ones.
ご利用(りよう)の際(さい)には、注意(ちゅうい)事項(じこう)をお読み(よみ)ください。
When using (this), please read the precautions.
Quick contrast: - お出かけ(でかけ)の折(おり)には傘(かさ)をお持ち(もち)ください (sounds caring, like a thoughtful reminder) - お出かけ(でかけ)の際(さい)には傘(かさ)をお持ち(もち)ください (sounds more like a neutral instruction) If both seem possible, check whether the speaker is creating a warm, anticipatory mood. 折(おり)に leans into that mood; 際(さい)に stays businesslike. ## Common mistakes with 折(おり)に
❌
事故(じこ)の折(おり)に、すぐに警察(けいさつ)を呼ん(よん)だ。
✅
事故(じこ)の際(さい)に、すぐに警察(けいさつ)を呼ん(よん)だ。
折(おり)に doesn’t fit negative or emergency events — use 際(さい)に.
❌
お会い(あい)した折(おり)に、また話し(はなし)ましょう。（to a close friend）
✅
また今度(こんど)会っ(あっ)たときに話そう(はなそう)。
折(おり)に is too formal for casual friends — switch to ときに.
❌
見(み)た折(おり)に、すぐ思い出し(おもいだし)た。
✅
見(み)たときに、すぐ思い出し(おもいだし)た。
瞬間(しゅんかん)的(てき)な, non‑occasion actions don’t pair well with 折(おり)に.
A good practice: write a sentence with **折(おり)に**, then rewrite it with **際(さい)に** or **ときに**. If the politeness feels forced or the event isn’t a “welcome occasion,” stick with the other patterns. ## Is 折(おり)に on the JLPT?
N1

Yes. 折(おり)に is firmly a JLPT N1 grammar point, appearing in formal reading passages and occasionally in polite listening exchanges.

Expect to:

  • recognise it in formal letters, speeches, or etiquette‑heavy texts
  • understand that it adds a layer of politeness, not just timing
  • choose it over 際(さい)に in questions where a warm, positive nuance is required
For test preparation, study 折(おり)に alongside 際(さい)に and ときに. Many questions test whether you can identify which nuance fits the speaker’s attitude. ## Practice questions for 折(おり)に
1
Write a polite sentence using 折(おり)に to invite a teacher to visit when they are next in your city.
invitation
2
You want to thank a colleague for help received during a business trip. Craft one line with 折(おり)に.
gratitude
3
Take a sentence using 際(さい)に and rewrite it with 折(おり)に. Does the feeling change? Why?
comparison
4
Explain to a fellow learner why 事故(じこ)の折(おり)に sounds unnatural.
nuance check
## Learning path for 折(おり)に
1
Grasp the occasion mindset. Read two or three example sentences aloud and picture the polite setting (a hotel lobby, a thank‑you letter). Don’t worry about the exact translation yet.
2
Practice the formation. Take nouns and plain verbs and attach の折(おり)に/折(おり)に. Write them by hand until the pattern feels natural — “出張しゅっちょうの折(おり)に”, “上京じょうきょうする折(おり)に”.
3
Differentiate from 際(さい)に. Create pairs of sentences — one with 折(おり)に, one with 際(さい)に — for the same event. Decide which feels warmer and why. This solidifies the politeness gradient.
4
Use it in a real message. Write a short thank‑you email or a polite invitation using 折(おり)に. Even if you only send it to yourself, the act of composing in a real context locks it in.
## Related grammar to review next - [およそ](/blog/n1-oyoso/) — because it also involves formal, measured speech often used in polite contexts, making it a good companion for 折(おり)に in formal writing. - [思い(おもい)をする](/blog/n1-omoi-o-suru/) — because it deals with conveying emotional experiences in a stylised way, similar to how 折(おり)に frames an event with a polite emotional tinge. - [さ](/blog/n1-sa/) — because the sentence‑ending particle さ can soften assertions, and together with 折(おり)に you learn to adjust formality and warmth in different parts of a sentence. - [を前提(ぜんてい)として](/blog/n1-o-zentei-toshite/) — because it expresses “on the premise of,” and when combined with 折(おり)に you can build complex formal structures: “on the premise of X, on the occasion of Y…” ## Learn 折(おり)に with Hane If you want to review **折(おり)に** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practise Japanese in short, focused sessions. You’ll encounter 折(おり)に in polite contexts where nuance matters — exactly the kind of practice that builds confident, natural Japanese. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)