and ~ (indicates 2 contrasting actions) (つ〜つ) – Japanese Grammar つ〜つ (tsu~tsu)

Q: What JLPT level is つ〜つ?

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Q: How do you use つ〜つ in a sentence?

Attach つ〜つ to the appropriate verb or noun form. And ~ (indicates 2 contrasting actions)

Q: Is つ〜つ formal or casual Japanese?

つ〜つ is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

つ〜つ

N1 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

tsu~tsu

and ~ (indicates 2 contrasting actions)

を境に o sakai ni のなんのって no nan notte じみた jimita というわけではない to iu wake dewa nai がましい gamashii にまつわる ni matsuwaru だの〜だの dano~dano を禁じ得ない o kinji enai にしたところで /としたところで ni shita tokoro de / to shita tokoro de てからというもの te kara to iu mono いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ izure ni shitemo / izure ni shiro / izure ni seyo もしくは moshikuwa きっての kitte no にかこつけて ni kako tsukete 甲斐もなく kai mo naku さもないと samonaito んばかりに n bakari ni いかにも ikani mo であれ〜であれ de are~de are ともあろうものが tomo arou mono ga を境に o sakai ni のなんのって no nan notte じみた jimita というわけではない to iu wake dewa nai がましい gamashii にまつわる ni matsuwaru だの〜だの dano~dano を禁じ得ない o kinji enai にしたところで /としたところで ni shita tokoro de / to shita tokoro de てからというもの te kara to iu mono いずれにしても / いずれにしろ / いずれにせよ izure ni shitemo / izure ni shiro / izure ni seyo もしくは moshikuwa きっての kitte no にかこつけて ni kako tsukete 甲斐もなく kai mo naku さもないと samonaito んばかりに n bakari ni いかにも ikani mo であれ〜であれ de are~de are ともあろうものが tomo arou mono ga

🃏 Flashcard

つ〜つ

tsu~tsu

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and ~ (indicates 2 contrasting actions)

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N1

Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Reading tsu~tsu

Post ID 51418

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

and ~ (indicates 2 contrasting actions)

📖 How to use it

A literary pattern used to list two contrasting or alternating actions, implying repetition or back-and-forth.

Attaches to Attach つ to the ます-stem (連用形) of two verbs: Vます-stem + つ + Vます-stem + つ. The second verb is often the antonym of the first.

This pattern is a classical remnant used in formal or literary writing to express two actions that occur in alternation or contrast. It suggests that the situation involves going back and forth between the two actions, often with a sense of being unable to settle on one. For example, 行きつ戻りつ means 'going and returning' repeatedly, like pacing. It is not used in everyday conversation; you will encounter it in novels, essays, or news reports. The tone is stiff and rhetorical.

To form it, take the ます-stem of two verbs (the form without ます). The verbs are typically opposites: 浮く (to float) and 沈む (to sink) give 浮きつ沈みつ. The pattern can also be used with a single verb repeated, but that is rare. Because it is N1-level grammar, learners are expected to recognize it in reading rather than produce it in speech.

波に浮きつ沈みつしながら、彼は救助を待った。

Nami ni ukitsu shizumitsu shinagara, kare wa kyūjo o matta.

Bobbing up and down on the waves, he waited for rescue.

彼女は部屋の中を行きつ戻りつしながら、考え込んでいた。

Kanojo wa heya no naka o ikitsu modoritsu shinagara, kangaekonde ita.

She was deep in thought, pacing back and forth in the room.

その問題について、賛成しつ反対しつ、彼はなかなか決断できなかった。

Sono mondai ni tsuite, sansei shitsu hantai shitsu, kare wa nakanaka ketsudan dekinakatta.

Torn between agreeing and disagreeing on the issue, he could not make a decision easily.

Not 〜たり〜たりする〜たり〜たりする is common and used for listing actions in no particular order, often with a casual tone. つ〜つ is formal/literary and specifically highlights two contrasting or alternating actions. If you are speaking, use たり; if you see つ〜つ, it is likely in written text.

Register This is a literary and formal pattern, found in written Japanese; using it in everyday speech would sound archaic or overly dramatic.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

つ〜つ

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat つ〜つ three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

🃏

Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using つ〜つ. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns

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とは打って変わって/ とは打って変わり

unlike; very different from ~

尽くす

to use up (completely)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern つ〜つ mean? ▼

And ~ (indicates 2 contrasting actions)

What JLPT level is つ〜つ? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use つ〜つ in a sentence? ▼

Attach つ〜つ (tsu~tsu) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is つ〜つ formal or casual Japanese? ▼

つ〜つ is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember つ〜つ long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.