expression, takes genitive case の, noun

  1. secondary, of secondary importance.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
二の次 にのつぎ

Contained Kanji Breakdown

two, two radical (no. 7)
ニ ふた ふだ (1st, N5)
next, order, sequence
つぎ ジ つ.ぐ (3rd, N3)
two-stroke water radical or ice radical (no. 15)
ヒョウ こおり (Kentei 1)
lack, gap, fail
ケツ か.ける ケン (4th, N3)
knife, wrapping enclosure(勹) variant
person
ひと ニン ジン (1st, N5)