〜ずつ "each / at a time"
zutsu
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
Equal distribution: "X each", "X at a time", "little by little".
ずつ follows a quantity and means "each / at a time": 一人二つずつ = two each per person, 三人ずつ = in groups of three, 少しずつ = little by little. It shows that the amount is shared equally or repeated in equal steps. It always follows a number or quantity word (二つ, 三人, 少し), never the noun itself.
Handing things out, forming groups, describing gradual progress (少しずつ上手になる), and instructions (一日三回、一錠ずつ). Used in all registers. 少しずつ (bit by bit) is one of the most useful phrases at this level.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Number + counter + ずつ: 一つずつ, 三人ずつ, 二枚ずつ少し / ちょっと + ずつ: 少しずつPerson + に + quantity + ずつ: 一人に二つずつずつ + particle possible: 一人ずつが / 一つずつを (usually omitted)
Visual diagram
- りんごをthing distributed (object)
- 一人unit receiving (per person)
- 二つquantity
- ずつ'each / at a time'
- 配りましたverb of distribution
Natural examples
りんごを一人二つずつ配りました。
りんごを ひとり ふたつずつ くばりました。
I handed out two apples to each person.
Per-person distribution: 一人 + 二つずつ.
毎日、少しずつ漢字を覚えています。
まいにち、すこしずつ かんじを おぼえています。
I'm memorising kanji little by little every day.
少しずつ: gradual progress.
二人ずつグループを作ってください。
ふたりずつ グループを つくってください。
Please form groups of two.
Groups of two: 二人ずつ.
この薬は、朝と夜に一錠ずつ飲んでください。
このくすりは、あさと よるに いちじょうずつ のんでください。
Take one tablet of this medicine in the morning and one at night.
Equal amount at each time.
一人ずつ前に出て、自己紹介をしてください。
ひとりずつ まえに でて、じこしょうかいを してください。
Please come to the front one at a time and introduce yourselves.
一人ずつ = one person at a time.
Similar grammar and the difference
くらい = about (an approximate amount). ずつ = each / at a time (equal distribution). Compare side by side
だけ limits (二つだけ = only two). ずつ distributes (二つずつ = two each). Compare side by side
Number + も stresses a large amount (十個も). ずつ says how the amount is shared. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- りんごずつ二つ配った。
- ✓
- りんごを二つずつ配った。
- Why
- ずつ follows the quantity, not the noun.
- ✗
- 少しずつずつ覚える。
- ✓
- 少しずつ覚える。
- Why
- ずつ is not repeated.
- ✗
- 毎日三時間ずつ勉強しています。(meaning "about three hours")
- ✓
- 毎日三時間くらい勉強しています。
- Why
- 三時間ずつ is fine if you mean exactly three hours each day, but for an approximate amount use くらい.
The most common pattern is [person/time] に [amount] ずつ: 一人に一枚ずつ, 一日に一課ずつ. 少しずつ / ちょっとずつ describe gradual change: 少しずつ暖かくなってきた. ずつ can be followed by a particle but usually is not: 一つずつ(を)取ってください.
JLPT N4 tips
On the exam
- A number + counter before the blank and a verb of sharing or repeating (配る, 分ける, 覚える, 進む) → ずつ.
- Distractors are くらい (about), だけ (only) and も (as many as). Ask: is the amount shared equally? Then ずつ.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜ずつ "each / at a time" mean?
Equal distribution: "X each", "X at a time", "little by little". ずつ follows a quantity and means "each / at a time": 一人二つずつ = two each per person, 三人ずつ = in groups of three, 少しずつ = little by little. It shows that the amount is shared equally or repeated in equal steps. It always follows a number or quantity word (二つ, 三人, 少し), never the noun itself.
How do you form 〜ずつ "each / at a time"?
Number + counter + ずつ: 一つずつ, 三人ずつ, 二枚ずつ / 少し / ちょっと + ずつ: 少しずつ / Person + に + quantity + ずつ: 一人に二つずつ / ずつ + particle possible: 一人ずつが / 一つずつを (usually omitted). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜ずつ "each / at a time" used?
Handing things out, forming groups, describing gradual progress (少しずつ上手になる), and instructions (一日三回、一錠ずつ). Used in all registers. 少しずつ (bit by bit) is one of the most useful phrases at this level.
What is the difference between 〜ずつ "each / at a time" and 〜くらい?
くらい = about (an approximate amount). ずつ = each / at a time (equal distribution).
What is the difference between 〜ずつ "each / at a time" and 〜だけ?
だけ limits (二つだけ = only two). ずつ distributes (二つずつ = two each).
What is a common mistake with 〜ずつ "each / at a time"?
Wrong: りんごずつ二つ配った。 Right: りんごを二つずつ配った。 ずつ follows the quantity, not the noun.
Quick check
子供たちにお菓子を三つ（ ）あげました。