〜につき
ni tsuki
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
(1) due to, because of (notices); (2) per, for each
〜につき has two separate uses. In notices and signs it means "due to X": 改装工事につき休業 (closed due to renovation). With numbers it means "per X": 一人につき二枚 (two per person). Both are compact, formal, and typical of written announcements rather than conversation.
Meaning (1) appears on signs, posters, and official notices, often without a verb ending (〜につき休業). Meaning (2) is used for rates and quotas in rules and price lists. In speech people say 〜のため / 〜なので for (1) and 〜あたり / 〜ごとに for (2).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun (reason) + につき (+ notice-style clause)Number + counter + につき + amount (一人につき / 一時間につき)Set notices: 雨天につき中止 / 本日休業につき / 満員につき
Visual diagram
| Aspect | (1) Reason | (2) Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | due to X | per X |
| Front word | a situation: 工事, 雨天, 満席, 定休日 | a unit: 一人, 一時間, 一枚, 一件 |
| Where | signs, notices, formal letters | rules, price lists, contracts |
| Spoken equivalent | 〜のため / 〜なので | 〜あたり / 〜ごとに |
Natural examples
改装工事につき、本日は休業いたします。
かいそうこうじにつき、ほんじつはきゅうぎょういたします。
Due to renovation work, we are closed today.
Reason on a business notice; stiff notice language.
一人につき二枚まで購入できます。
ひとりにつきにまいまでこうにゅうできます。
Up to two tickets may be purchased per person.
Rate: a purchase limit per person.
一時間につき千円の料金がかかる。
いちじかんにつきせんえんのりょうきんがかかる。
There is a charge of 1,000 yen per hour.
Rate: a fee per hour.
雨天につき、本日の運動会は中止いたします。
うてんにつき、ほんじつのうんどうかいはちゅうしいたします。
Due to rain, today's sports day is cancelled.
Classic notice phrasing: 雨天につき中止.
応募は一名につき一回限りとさせていただきます。
おうぼはいちめいにつきいっかいかぎりとさせていただきます。
Entries are limited to one per person.
Contest rules: rate meaning with 限り.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜のため
Neutral "because of"; usable in speech and writing; not as compact as につき.
〜あたり / 〜ごとに
Spoken equivalents for "per": 一人あたり / 一時間ごとに.
"About / concerning". Do not confuse: につき is not a topic marker (though very formal 〜につきましては exists as a keigo form of について). Compare side by side
"Whenever (a feeling arises)"; unrelated. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 試験につき、勉強しなければならない。
- ✓
- 試験のため、勉強しなければならない。
- Why
- につき (reason) is notice language for closures and cancellations; not for personal reasons in ordinary sentences.
- ✗
- 一人について二枚まで
- ✓
- 一人につき二枚まで
- Why
- For "per", the form is につき; について means "about".
- ✗
- 改装工事につき、休業します。(in speech)
- ✓
- 改装工事のため、休業します。
- Why
- Fine on a sign, but stiff when spoken; use のため in conversation.
Signs often drop the predicate: 定休日につき (closed: regular holiday). The polite business form につきましては is a keigo version of については and belongs to a different pattern. Rates: 一件につき千円, 一キロにつき二百円.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- If the sentence looks like a sign or notice and the blank precedes 休業 / 中止 / 閉店, choose につき.
- If the blank follows a counter (一人, 一時間) and precedes an amount, choose につき (per).
- Typical distractors: について, につけ, につれて. Only につき fits a notice reason or a rate.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜につき mean?
(1) due to, because of (notices); (2) per, for each. 〜につき has two separate uses. In notices and signs it means "due to X": 改装工事につき休業 (closed due to renovation). With numbers it means "per X": 一人につき二枚 (two per person). Both are compact, formal, and typical of written announcements rather than conversation.
How do you form 〜につき?
Noun (reason) + につき (+ notice-style clause) / Number + counter + につき + amount (一人につき / 一時間につき) / Set notices: 雨天につき中止 / 本日休業につき / 満員につき. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜につき used?
Meaning (1) appears on signs, posters, and official notices, often without a verb ending (〜につき休業). Meaning (2) is used for rates and quotas in rules and price lists. In speech people say 〜のため / 〜なので for (1) and 〜あたり / 〜ごとに for (2).
What is the difference between 〜につき and 〜のため?
Neutral "because of"; usable in speech and writing; not as compact as につき.
What is the difference between 〜につき and 〜あたり / 〜ごとに?
Spoken equivalents for "per": 一人あたり / 一時間ごとに.
What is a common mistake with 〜につき?
Wrong: 試験につき、勉強しなければならない。 Right: 試験のため、勉強しなければならない。 につき (reason) is notice language for closures and cancellations; not for personal reasons in ordinary sentences.
Quick check
本日は棚卸し（ ）、午後三時で閉店いたします。