〜つつ / 〜つつも
tsutsu / tsutsu mo
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
while (doing); although (knowing)
〜つつ has two meanings. (1) "While doing" (the formal version of ながら): I drank coffee while gazing at the scenery. (2) 〜つつ(も) "although (knowing/thinking)": though I know it's bad for me, I can't quit smoking. The second use is nearly always with 知る, 思う, 分かる.
書き言葉 and formal speech; in conversation use ながら. Attaches to the Vます stem. In the concessive use, つつも with も is stronger and closer to ながらも. The actions must belong to the same subject.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Vます + つつ / つつも
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Example | Spoken equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous | 景色を眺めつつコーヒーを飲む | 眺めながら |
| Concessive | 悪いと知りつつ(も)やめられない | 知っていながら(も) |
Natural examples
景色を眺めつつ、コーヒーを飲んだ。
けしきをながめつつ、コーヒーをのんだ。
I drank coffee while gazing at the scenery.
Simultaneous use.
体に悪いと知りつつ、タバコをやめられない。
からだにわるいとしりつつ、タバコをやめられない。
Though I know it's bad for me, I can't quit smoking.
Concessive with 知りつつ.
悪いと思いつつも、うそをついてしまった。
わるいとおもいつつも、うそをついてしまった。
Even while feeling it was wrong, I lied.
Concessive with 思いつつも.
彼は周囲の意見を聞きつつ、最終的には自分で決めた。
かれはしゅういのいけんをききつつ、さいしゅうてきにはじぶんできめた。
While listening to those around him, in the end he decided for himself.
Simultaneous use in a formal narrative.
早く返事をしなければと思いつつ、つい後回しにしてしまった。
はやくへんじをしなければとおもいつつ、ついあとまわしにしてしまった。
Though I kept thinking I should reply soon, I ended up putting it off.
思いつつ + つい〜てしまう is a classic combination.
Similar grammar and the difference
Spoken/written equivalent for both uses; ながら also follows nouns and adjectives. Compare side by side
Different pattern: "in the process of". Compare side by side
Concession with contempt; つつ is neutral and self-directed. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 知るつつ
- ✓
- 知りつつ
- Why
- Attach to the Vます stem.
- ✗
- 音楽を聞きつつ、弟は勉強した。（different subjects）
- ✓
- 音楽を聞きつつ、私は勉強した。
- Why
- Both actions must have the same subject.
- ✗
- 悪いと知りつつ、やめた。
- ✓
- 悪いと知りつつ、やめられない。
- Why
- The concessive use needs a clause that contradicts the knowledge.
Concessive verbs: 知りつつ, 思いつつ, 分かりつつ, 感じつつ. つつも is a stronger concession than つつ. Formal reports use 〜しつつ for parallel actions: 状況を見つつ判断する.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- Formal register + Vます stem + blank meaning "while" or "although knowing" → つつ.
- Distractors: つつある, ながら, たびに. Check for a following 〜てしまう or 〜られない for the concessive use.
- If the blank follows a noun or adjective, it cannot be つつ; choose ながら.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜つつ / 〜つつも mean?
while (doing); although (knowing). 〜つつ has two meanings. (1) "While doing" (the formal version of ながら): I drank coffee while gazing at the scenery. (2) 〜つつ(も) "although (knowing/thinking)": though I know it's bad for me, I can't quit smoking. The second use is nearly always with 知る, 思う, 分かる.
How do you form 〜つつ / 〜つつも?
Vます + つつ / つつも. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜つつ / 〜つつも used?
書き言葉 and formal speech; in conversation use ながら. Attaches to the Vます stem. In the concessive use, つつも with も is stronger and closer to ながらも. The actions must belong to the same subject.
What is the difference between 〜つつ / 〜つつも and 〜ながら(も)?
Spoken/written equivalent for both uses; ながら also follows nouns and adjectives.
What is the difference between 〜つつ / 〜つつも and 〜つつある?
Different pattern: "in the process of".
What is a common mistake with 〜つつ / 〜つつも?
Wrong: 知るつつ Right: 知りつつ Attach to the Vます stem.
Quick check
体に悪いと分かり（ ）、夜食を食べてしまう。