二の次

• Reading: にのつぎ
• Romaji: ninotsugi
• Kanji breakdown: 二 (ni) — two, second; 次 (tsugi/ji) — next, following, second place
• Pronunciation: /ni.no.tsɯ.ɡi/

Meaning

Secondary; of lesser importance; something deliberately set aside in favour of a higher priority.

A noun used in the patterns 〜は二の次だ and 〜を二の次にする (to treat something as secondary, to put something on the back burner). Often appears in self-critical or self-sacrificing statements — 自分のことは二の次 (I'll put myself last). More colourful than 後回し (postponing) and implies a conscious value judgement about what matters most.

Examples

1. プロジェクトの成功のためなら、利益は二の次だと彼女は言い切った。 She declared that profit is secondary if it means the project succeeds.
2. あの人は仕事が最優先で、家族のことを二の次にしている傾向がある。 He tends to prioritize work above all else, putting his family second.
3. 緊急時には速さが優先され、手続きの正確さは二の次になる。 In an emergency, speed takes priority, and procedural accuracy becomes secondary.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday speech, self-reflection, value judgements

Tone: emphatic

Origin & History

A Japanese idiomatic expression. 二 (two, second) + の (possessive particle) + 次 (next). Literally 'the second next' — something that comes in second place in order of priority.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal