Japanese Conversation · Level 54
90 words
Japanese word
つつ
Pronunciation
Romajitsutsu
Meaning
- particlewhile ___
Example
お茶を飲みつつ、本を読みます。o cha o no mi tsu tsu hon o yo mi ma su
I read a book while drinking tea.
More examples
私は音楽を聞きつつ、宿題をします。watashi wa on gaku o ki ki tsu tsu shuku dai o shi ma su
I do my homework while listening to music.
Core concept
Marks one action as continuing while another action takes place, often with a formal or written tone.
Common phrases
音楽を聞きつつon gaku o ki ki tsu tsu
while listening to music
考えつつkanga e tsu tsu
while thinking
Similar words
ながらnagara: Shows that one action continues while another action takes place, often in everyday speech.
Definition in Japanese
一方の動作を行いながら、同時に別の動作を行うことを表す。ip pō no dō sa o okona i na ga ra dō ji ni betsu no dō sa o okona u ko to o arawa su
Word origin
The form つつ (tsutsu) is inherited from the classical Japanese conjunctive particle つつ, whose recorded uses express simultaneous or repeated action.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, ながら (nagara) usually serves the same function, while つつ (tsutsu) often sounds formal or written.