折(おり)しも

おりしも
adverb
just then; at that very moment; as it happened
formaltimeexpression
1. just then; at that very moment; as it happened; coincidentally at that time
Indicates that something happened at precisely the right (or notable) moment, often by coincidence. Emphasizes the timing of an event as particularly apt or striking.
折(おり)しも雨(あめ)が降(ふ)り出(だ)した。
Just then, it started to rain.
折(おり)しも桜(さくら)が満開(まんかい)の時期(じき)だった。
As it happened, it was the season when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.
出(で)かけようとしたら、折(おり)しも旧友(きゅうゆう)から電話(でんわ)がかかってきた。
Just as I was about to go out, an old friend happened to call.

折(おり) means 'occasion' or 'moment,' and しも is an emphatic particle meaning 'precisely' or 'just.' Together they highlight a striking coincidence in timing.

Common collocations

  • 折(おり)しも〜の時期(じき)だった — it happened to be the season of...
  • 折(おり)しも〜が始(はじ)まった — just then ... began
  • 折(おり)しも通(とお)りかかった — happened to be passing by just then

Usage

A literary adverb used mainly in written Japanese and formal narration. It adds a sense of dramatic timing or fortunate (or unfortunate) coincidence. Rarely used in casual conversation.

Similar words

  • ちょうどそのとき — just at that moment (neutral, conversational)
  • たまたま — by chance, coincidentally (casual; focuses on randomness rather than timing)
  • あいにく — unfortunately (overlaps when the coincidence is negative)

Related Words

Compare: 偶々(たまたま) (by chance, coincidentally (casual)
Compare: あいにく (unfortunately)
general
Added 2026.3.25 17:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
19000/19332_orishimo