〜つつ

Formation

• Vます形 + つつ
• Vます形 + つつ(も) ※逆接

Explanation

つつ has two uses. First, like ながら, it shows one person doing two actions at the same time. Second, it means "although": you know or think something, but do something different. This second use often appears with verbs like 分かる, 思う and 知る, and often takes the form つつも. Both uses sound more formal and written than ながら.

Examples

• 窓まどの外そとの景色けしきを 楽たのしみつつ、電車でんしゃの旅たびを続つづけた。

  I continued my train trip, enjoying the scenery outside the window.

• 会議かいぎでは、社員しゃいんの意見いけんを 聞ききつつ、新あたらしい計画けいかくを決きめていきたい。

  At the meeting, I want to decide on the new plan while listening to the staff's opinions.

• 体からだに悪わるいと 分わかりつつも、毎晩まいばん遅おそくまでゲームをしてしまう。

  Although I know it's bad for my health, I end up playing games late every night.

• 早はやく返事へんじをしなければと 思おもいつつ、もう一週間いっしゅうかんも経たってしまった。

  Although I kept thinking I had to reply soon, a whole week has already passed.

Notes

In the "while" use, both actions must have the same subject. In conversation, ながら sounds more natural. For "although," つつも makes the meaning clearer.

Related grammar

〜つつある

Mini quiz

Practice this in N2 · Day 26