Meaning and Usage
"次ぐ" (つぐ) means "to rank next to" or "to come after" something in order or importance. It is often used to compare rankings, positions, or popularity.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "次ぐ" in contexts like city sizes, rankings in class or competitions, and sales or popularity charts.
Collocations and Patterns
- "Xに次ぐY" — "Y that ranks next to X"; used to show something is second in rank or importance.
- "次ぐ二番目" — "second place"; emphasizes the position immediately after the first.
Register and Nuance
"次ぐ" is neutral and commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese. It is more formal than casual expressions like "次に来る" but less formal than some honorific forms.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "次ぐ" with "継ぐ" (つぐ), which means "to inherit" or "to succeed" in a family or business context. Pay attention to the kanji and meaning to avoid this confusion.