Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 4: 2/18

つつWhile, And

Structure

Verb［ます］+ つつ

Details

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    Formal

About つつ

つつ is a particle in Japanese that appears after the ます-stem form of verbs. When used, it indicates that (B) is an action that is happening at the same time as (A). This usually translates simply as 'while (A), (B)'.

つつ is a formal grammar structure and will appear in writing more than in speech.

Caution

Unlike ながら, つつ is used more often when the (A) action is an ongoing state, rather than an actual physical action that involves movement. ながら may be used for both physical motions and states.

  • 走(はし)りながら携帯(けいたい)でゲームをしていたら、電柱(でんちゅう)にぶつかった。
    I bumped into a telephone pole because I was gaming on my phone while I was walking. (Natural Japanese)
  • 走(はし)りつつ携帯(けいたい)でゲームをしていたら、電柱(でんちゅう)にぶつかった。
    I bumped into a telephone pole because I was gaming on my phone while I was walking. (Physical action, unnatural Japanese)
  • 仕事(しごと)に関係(かんけい)ないことを考(かんが)えながら仕事(しごと)をしていたら、大(おお)きなミスをしてしまった。
    I made a big mistake at work because I was working while thinking about something unrelated to work. (Natural Japanese)
  • 仕事(しごと)に関係(かんけい)ないことを考(かんが)えつつ仕事(しごと)をしていたら、大(おお)きなミスをしてしまった。
    I made a big mistake at work because I was working while thinking about something unrelated to work. (Non-physical, natural Japanese)

Despite this, the (B) action in つつ sentences may either be physical movements or ongoing states.

Examples

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    ツバメは飛行(ひこう)しつつ、寝(ね)ることができる。

    The swallow can sleep while flying.

    布団(ふとん)をしきつつテレビに見入(みい)ってしまった。

    While laying out my futon, I got transfixed by the TV.

    集金(しゅうきん)しつつ、空(あ)き家(や)の調査(ちょうさ)もしています。

    While working as a bill collector, I am also surveying empty houses.

    育児(いくじ)をしつつ、フルタイムで働(はたら)くのは大変(たいへん)なことです。

    Working full time while raising children is really hard.

    父(ちち)の足跡(あしあと)をたどりつつ、自分(じぶん)の生(い)き方(かた)を探(さが)している。

    While following in my father's footsteps, I am searching for how to live my own life.

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つつ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • Eroliene

    Eroliene

    ツバメは飛行しつつ、寝ることができる。

    Based on how the grammar point was explained, this example sentence seems super, mega wrong.

    Caution - Unlike ながら, つつ is used more often when the (A) action is an ongoing state, rather than an actual physical action that involves movement.

    Flight is an active, physical activity which involves movement. The only explanation I can fathom is a nuance wherein the swallow being asleep makes it a non-active participant in its own flying, downgrading its flight to the “ongoing state” status of hurtling through the air.

    This is some hefty nuance to be dropped in unexplained, so it feels more likely that it is an error. If this is in fact hefty nuance, please confirm! My mind would indeed be blown.

  • descents

    descents

    Damn I thought I was the only one, I am confused with this usage as well

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