につけ
🃏 Flashcard
につけ
ni tsuke
Tap to reveal usage
every time; whenever; as; whether
N2
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading
ni tsuke
Post ID
51104
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
every time; whenever; as; whether
📖 How to use it
Expresses that every time you experience or think of something, a related thought or feeling arises.
Attaches to
Attaches to the plain form of a verb, or to the plain form of an adjective. For verbs, use the dictionary form (e.g., 見るにつけ) or the past tense (e.g., 見たにつけ). For adjectives, use the plain present or past form. It does not attach directly to nouns; the noun must be part of a verb phrase, as in 彼のことを思うにつけ.
This pattern means 'every time' or 'whenever' and emphasizes that each instance of seeing, hearing, or thinking about something triggers a feeling or memory. It is often used with verbs like 思う (to think), 見る (to see), 聞く (to hear), and 思い出す (to remember). For example, 彼女の写真を見るにつけ、学生時代を思い出す means 'Every time I see her photo, I remember my school days.' It can also express two contrasting options with the structure AにつけBにつけ, meaning 'whether A or B, ...' as in the idiomatic phrase 雨につけ風につけ, meaning 'in rain or wind.'
彼の顔を見るにつけ、昔のことを思い出す。
Kare no kao o miru ni tsuke, mukashi no koto o omoidasu.
Every time I see his face, I remember the old days.
この歌を聞くにつけ、故郷が恋しくなる。
Kono uta o kiku ni tsuke, kokyou ga koishiku naru.
Whenever I hear this song, I miss my hometown.
試験のことを思うにつけ、不安になる。
Shiken no koto o omou ni tsuke, fuan ni naru.
As I think about the exam, I get anxious.
Not たびに (tabi ni)
Both mean 'every time,' but につけ is more literary and often implies an emotional response or reflection, while たびに is neutral and can be used in everyday speech for any repeated event. For example, 行くたびに=every time I go (neutral), but 行くにつけ=every time I go (with a sense of reminiscence or emotion).
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This pattern is somewhat formal and literary, more common in written language or narrative; in casual conversation, たびに is preferred.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
につけ
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat につけ 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 につけ. 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 N2 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern につけ mean?
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Every time; whenever; as; whether
What JLPT level is につけ?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use につけ in a sentence?
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Attach につけ (ni tsuke) 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 につけ formal or casual Japanese?
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につけ 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 につけ long-term?
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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.