Structure
Verb[ます]+ つつ(も)
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硬い
About つつ(も)
In addition to the base meaning of つつ 'while doing (A)' when used by itself, the addition of も simply adds the nuance of 'even'. This is often translated as 'even while doing (A), (B)', or 'although doing (A), (B)'. (B) will almost always be something that is somehow contradictory to (A).
Like つつ, つつも will appear after the ます-stem of a verb that is the original ongoing action.
Like つつ, つつも will appear after the ます-stem of a verb that is the original ongoing action.
- 一人で洞窟に入るのは危ないと知りつつも、入ってしまった。Despite knowing that going in a cave alone is dangerous, I went in.
- 初めてのライブで緊張しつつもものすごく楽しめました。Despite being very nervous at my first concert, I was able to enjoy it.
Caution - Like つつ, つつも will usually include a non-physical action in (A), such as reading, listening, looking, thinking, etc. (B) may be either physical or non-physical. Also, in the same way as つつ is similar to ながら, つつも is similar to ながらも.
- 彼は足を骨折していながらも、大会に出場しようとしたところ、監督に止められた。Despite having a broken leg, he tried to enter the tournament, but was stopped by the coach. (Natural Japanese)
- 彼は足を骨折していつつも、大会に出場しようとしたところ、監督に止められた。Even while having a broken leg, he tried to enter the tournament, but was stopped by the coach. (Physical action, unnatural Japanese)
- なんかこの話は怪しいなと思いながらも、彼のことを信じてみた。Despite thinking, 'this sounds fishy,' I believed him. (Natural Japanese)
- なんかこの話は怪しいなと思いつつも、彼のことを信じてみた。Even though I thought that the story was fishy, I believed him. (Non-physical, natural Japanese)
Synonyms
Examples
南極点遠征はよく備えつつも、失敗した。
Despite (everyone) preparing well, the south pole expedition failed.
現代人は朝ご飯を食べるのは重要だと知りつつも、そうしようとすることを拒否している。
Modern people, despite knowing that eating breakfast is important, refuse to do so.
主人公はこの地下牢に入るのは危ないと思いつつも、また入った。
Despite thinking that entering the dungeon was dangerous, the protagonist still went inside.
危ないことだと知りつつも、科学者は知識のために、命を掛けつつ実験する場合もある。
Despite knowing that it is dangerous, there are cases when scientists, for the sake of knowledge, carry out experiments while putting their lives on the line.
斜めになりつつもなんとか持ちこたえたジェンガ。
Despite leaning, the Jenga tower somehow held out.
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Additional information and examples
JapaneseTest4You
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完全マスター N2
Page 65-4
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 330
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