Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 2: 20/24

()

Whenever, Every time something happens

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

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb[る]+ つけ(て)
Noun + 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 () this structure is a combination of に and the conjunctive form of the る-Verb ()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.
  • (もと)カノが(うつ)っている写真(しゃしん)()につけ(むね)(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)()りをするにつけ父親(ちちおや)のことを(おも)()す。
    Every time I fish on this pier, it reminds me of my father.
  • (かれ)(なに)につけ文句(もんく)()うので、一緒(いっしょ)にいるだけで(つか)れる。
    Since he complains whenever anything happens, it's exhausting being around him.
  • (つま)妊娠中(にんしんちゅう)なので(かな)しいにつけ(うれ)しいにつけ、すぐに()()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(とき)先輩(せんぱい)()われた(こと)(おも)()につけて(いか)りが()()がってきます。
    Every time I remember what my senpai said to me, I get filled with anger.
  • (かれ)一緒(いっしょ)時間(じかん)()ごすにつけて、なんでこんな(ひと)()()っているんだろうと(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()()につけ子供(こども)(ころ)のことを(おも)()

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

  • (わたし)(むかし)から(ふる)写真(しゃしん)とても興味(きょうみ)があった。写真(しゃしん)()につけ()られた(ひと)(だれ)なのか、(のち)どんな生活(せいかつ)(おく)っていたのかなど疑問(ぎもん)(おも)

    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.

  • (わたし)高校生(こうこうせい)生活(せいかつ)(おも)につけてあの(とき)(たの)しさを(おも)()

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

  • (となり)叔父(おじ)さん(なに)につけて文句(もんく)()(ひと)だ。

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

  • (わる)(うわさ)()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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につけ – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • Elliotjoyner3

    Elliotjoyner3

    About 10 days ago

    It says this structure may appear with either verbs or nouns in their dictionary forms, but then you give an example sentence where it appears with an い-adjective.

    妻は妊娠中なので悲しいにつけ嬉しいにつけ、すぐに泣きだします。

  • nekoyama

    nekoyama

    About 9 days ago

    It’s not specifically mentioned, but this is a third usage pattern with two contrasting words, meaning something like “whether A or B, either way…”. This one works with adjectives too.

  • Elliotjoyner3

    Elliotjoyner3

    About 6 days ago

    Okay, thank you. I was just pointing it out to suggest adjectives should be added to the “structure” section.

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