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につれて
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ni tsurete
as; in proportion to; with; as… then…
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につれて
ni tsurete
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as; in proportion to; with; as… then…
N3
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N3
Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast
Reading ni tsurete
Post ID 50899
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

as; in proportion to; with; as… then…

📖 How to use it

Expresses that one change happens in proportion to another change, like 'as X happens, Y happens'.

Attaches to Attach to the dictionary form of a verb, or a noun followed by の. For verbs, use the plain present form (e.g., 進むにつれて). For nouns, use につれて directly after the noun (e.g., 時代の変化につれて).

This pattern shows a natural, gradual connection between two changes. As one thing increases or progresses, the other changes accordingly. It often translates as 'as...' or 'with...'. For example, as you climb a mountain, the air gets thinner. The change is usually continuous and somewhat automatic, not a deliberate action.

It is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese, but it sounds a bit formal, so in casual conversation, you might hear にしたがって or とともに, but につれて is still fine. The nuance is that both parts are changing, but the second part is a result of the first. It is not used for a single event, but for a process over time.

Note that the verb before につれて is in the dictionary form, not the past tense, because it describes a general trend or ongoing process. Also, the second part of the sentence often uses forms like ~ようになる, ~ていく, or adjectives to show change.

日本語の勉強が進むにつれて、もっと上手くなりたいと思うようになった。
Nihongo no benkyou ga susumu ni tsurete, motto jouzu ni naritai to omou you ni natta.
As my Japanese studies progressed, I began to want to get even better.
年を取るにつれて、早く起きるようになった。
Toshi o toru ni tsurete, hayaku okiru you ni natta.
With age, I've started waking up earlier.
音楽を聞くにつれて、その歌手が好きになった。
Ongaku o kiku ni tsurete, sono kashu ga suki ni natta.
The more I listened to the music, the more I liked that singer.
Not にしたがって Both mean 'as...' but にしたがって is more formal and often used in written language or for rules/instructions. につれて is more natural for natural, gradual changes in everyday speech. For example, in formal contexts, にしたがって may be used for procedural changes, while につれて is used for natural proportional changes.
Register Neutral but slightly formal; common in both speech and writing, but in casual conversation, you might prefer other expressions.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
につれて
📚 How to Master This Pattern
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Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat につれて three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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Flip Before Reading
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Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using につれて. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
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Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern につれて mean? ▼
As; in proportion to; with; as… then…
What JLPT level is につれて? ▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use につれて in a sentence? ▼
Attach につれて (ni tsurete) 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 につれて formal or casual Japanese? ▼
につれて is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember につれて 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.