Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 2: 20/24

に付(つ)け

Whenever, Every time something happens

Rarely used in modern times, mostly in literature, 文学的・古い

Structure

Verb［る］+ につけ（て）
Noun + につけ（て）

Details

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    Formal

  • 使用域

    硬い

About につけ

In a similar way to につき, につけ implies that there is a something that is 'affixed' to the event or occasion of (A). However, unlike に就(つ)き this structure is a combination of に and the conjunctive form of the る-Verb 付(つ)ける 'to affix', or 'to adhere'.
When using につけ, the most common translation will be that something is happening 'every (A)', or 'whenever (A)'. In the (B) part of the sentence, the thoughts or feelings of the speaker will often be expressed in relation to (A). Additionally, (B) will always be something that is thought to happen naturally due to (A).
This structure may appear with either verbs or nouns in their dictionary forms.
  • 元(もと)カノが写(うつ)っている写真(しゃしん)を見(み)るにつけ、胸(むね)が痛(いた)くなる。
    Every time I see a picture with my ex-girlfriend, my heart aches.
  • この防波堤(ぼうはてい)で釣(つ)りをするにつけ、父親(ちちおや)のことを思(おも)い出(だ)す。
    Every time I fish on this pier, it reminds me of my father.
  • 彼(かれ)は何(なに)かにつけ文句(もんく)を言(い)うので、一緒(いっしょ)にいるだけで疲(つか)れる。
    Since he complains whenever anything happens, it's exhausting being around him.
  • 妻(つま)は妊娠中(にんしんちゅう)なので悲(かな)しいにつけ嬉(うれ)しいにつけ、すぐに泣(な)き出(だ)します。
    Since my wife is pregnant she cries easily whenever she is sad or happy.
It is also possible to see につけて, but the abbreviated form is far more common.
  • あの時(とき)先輩(せんぱい)に言(い)われた事(こと)を思(おも)い出(だ)すにつけて、怒(いか)りが込(こ)み上(あ)がってきます。
    Every time I remember what my senpai said to me, I get filled with anger.
  • 彼(かれ)と一緒(いっしょ)に時間(じかん)を過(す)ごすにつけて、なんでこんな人(ひと)と付(つ)き合(あ)っているんだろうと思(おも)う。
    Every time I spend time with him, I think to myself, 'why am I still dating such a person'.
Caution - This is considered a fairly old-fashioned grammar structure, so will mostly only be seen in literature or shows that are emphasizing a specific time period.

Examples

  • この絵(え)を見(み)るにつけ、子供(こども)の頃(ころ)のことを思(おも)い出(だ)す。

    Every time I see this picture, I recall my childhood.

  • 私(わたし)は昔(むかし)から古(ふる)い写真(しゃしん)にとても興味(きょうみ)があった。写真(しゃしん)を見(み)るにつけ、撮(と)られた人(ひと)は誰(だれ)なのか、後(のち)にどんな生活(せいかつ)を送(おく)っていたのかなど疑問(ぎもん)に思(おも)う。

    Since long ago, I have been interested in old pictures. Whenever I see a photo, I wonder who the people are, what kind of life they led, etc.

  • 私(わたし)の高校生(こうこうせい)の生活(せいかつ)を思(おも)うにつけて、あの時(とき)の楽(たの)しさを思(おも)い出(だ)す。

    Every time I think on my high school life, I recall how much fun I had.

  • 隣(となり)の叔父(おじ)さんは何(なに)かにつけて文句(もんく)を言(い)う人(ひと)だ。

    The old man next door is a person who complains whenever something (anything) happens.

  • 悪(わる)い噂(うわさ)を聞(き)くにつけて、だんだん不安(ふあん)になってきた。

    Every time I hear a bad rumor, I gradually become anxious.

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