つつ

tsutsu

JLPT N2 #15 of 195 in N2

While; even though; despite~

A formal conjunction meaning 'while' for simultaneous actions or 'even though' for contrast, used in written and formal speech.

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How to form it

Attach to the ます-stem of a verb (the form used before ます, e.g., 歩く → 歩き, 食べる → 食べ).

What it means

つつ has two main uses. The first is like 'while' in English, describing two actions happening at the same time by the same subject. For example, you might say you think about someone while walking. The second use is 'even though' or 'despite', expressing that something is true but you act against it. For instance, you know it's bad but you still do it. Both uses are formal and belong to written language, such as novels, essays, or news. In casual conversation, you'd use ながら for 'while' and のに or けど for 'even though'.

Example sentences

彼は歩きつつ、電話をかけている。

Kare wa aruki tsutsu, denwa o kakete iru.

He is making a phone call while walking.

悪いと知りつつ、つい甘いものを食べてしまう。

Warui to shiri tsutsu, tsui amai mono o tabete shimau.

Even though I know it's bad, I end up eating sweets.

彼女は難しい問題に取り組みつつ、周りの学生にアドバイスをしていた。

Kanojo wa muzukashii mondai ni torikumi tsutsu, mawari no gakusei ni adobaisu o shite ita.

She was giving advice to the students around her while working on the difficult problem.

Don’t confuse it with

ながら (for 'while') and のに (for 'even though')

つつ is formal and used in writing or formal speech. ながら is common in conversation for simultaneous actions (e.g., 歩きながら). のに is the usual way to say 'even though' in everyday speech (e.g., 知っているのに言わない).

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話

When to use it

Formal and literary; used mostly in written Japanese, not in everyday casual conversation.

Next in the N2 path

16

ところにat the time; just as I was~

17

ものか / もんかas if; there's no way~

18

だけはto do all that one can

19

しかもmoreover; furthermore; what’s more~

See the whole Grammar Path →

Questions

What does つつ mean?

While; even though; despite~. A formal conjunction meaning 'while' for simultaneous actions or 'even though' for contrast, used in written and formal speech.

How do you form つつ?

Attach to the ます-stem of a verb (the form used before ます, e.g., 歩く → 歩き, 食べる → 食べ).

Example of つつ in a sentence

彼は歩きつつ、電話をかけている。 — He is making a phone call while walking.

ながら (for 'while') and のに (for 'even though') — what is the difference?

つつ is formal and used in writing or formal speech. ながら is common in conversation for simultaneous actions (e.g., 歩きながら). のに is the usual way to say 'even though' in everyday speech (e.g., 知っているのに言わない).

What JLPT level is つつ?

JLPT N2 (upper intermediate), number 15 of 195 in Nihoner's learning order for N2.