Structure
Verb［ます］+ つつ
Details
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Formal
About つつ
つつ is a particle in Japanese that appears after the ます-stem form of verbs. When used, it indicates that (B) is an action that is happening at the same time as (A). This usually translates simply as 'while (A), (B)'.
つつ is a formal grammar structure and will appear in writing more than in speech.
Caution
Unlike ながら, つつ is used more often when the (A) action is an ongoing state, rather than an actual physical action that involves movement. ながら may be used for both physical motions and states.
- 走りながら携帯でゲームをしていたら、電柱にぶつかった。I bumped into a telephone pole because I was gaming on my phone while I was walking. (Natural Japanese)
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走りつつ携帯でゲームをしていたら、電柱にぶつかった。I bumped into a telephone pole because I was gaming on my phone while I was walking. (Physical action, unnatural Japanese)
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仕事に関係ないことを考えながら仕事をしていたら、大きなミスをしてしまった。I made a big mistake at work because I was working while thinking about something unrelated to work. (Natural Japanese)
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仕事に関係ないことを考えつつ仕事をしていたら、大きなミスをしてしまった。I made a big mistake at work because I was working while thinking about something unrelated to work. (Non-physical, natural Japanese)
Despite this, the (B) action in つつ sentences may either be physical movements or ongoing states.
Synonyms
Examples
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ツバメは飛行しつつ、寝ることができる。
The swallow can sleep while flying.
布団をしきつつテレビに見入ってしまった。
While laying out my futon, I got transfixed by the TV.
集金しつつ、空き家の調査もしています。
While working as a bill collector, I am also surveying empty houses.
育児をしつつ、フルタイムで働くのは大変なことです。
Working full time while raising children is really hard.
父の足跡をたどりつつ、自分の生き方を探している。
While following in my father's footsteps, I am searching for how to live my own life.
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つつ – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
Eroliene
ツバメは飛行しつつ、寝ることができる。
Based on how the grammar point was explained, this example sentence seems super, mega wrong.
Caution - Unlike ながら, つつ is used more often when the (A) action is an ongoing state, rather than an actual physical action that involves movement.
Flight is an active, physical activity which involves movement. The only explanation I can fathom is a nuance wherein the swallow being asleep makes it a non-active participant in its own flying, downgrading its flight to the “ongoing state” status of hurtling through the air.
This is some hefty nuance to be dropped in unexplained, so it feels more likely that it is an error. If this is in fact hefty nuance, please confirm! My mind would indeed be blown.
descents
Damn I thought I was the only one, I am confused with this usage as well
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