N3203/219

つい

つい + Vてしまうつい + Vてしまった

Meanings

Accidentally
Unconsciously
Against one's better judgement

About this pattern

Explanation

つい expresses doing something unintentionally or against one’s intention, often because of habit or momentary lapse. It conveys a sense of regret or surprise about what happened. It is commonly used with verbs in their て-form followed by しまう to show the completion of the action, usually with a nuance of 'ended up' or 'unfortunately did.'

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Example sentences

つい甘いものを食べてしまった。

I ended up eating sweets.

つい夜更かししてしまった。

I stayed up late unintentionally.

つい彼に嘘をついてしまった。

I ended up lying to him.

つい忘れてしまった。

I ended up forgetting (unintentionally).

つい買い物をしてしまった。

I ended up shopping (impulsively).

Related patterns

It would be good if you do X; You should do X; It's enough to do X

たらいい・といい

It would be nice if ...; It would be good if ...; Should ...; I hope ...

during; while; throughout; in the process of

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More N3 patterns

It would be good if you do X; You should do X; It's enough to do X

たらいい・といい

It would be nice if ...; It would be good if ...; Should ...; I hope ...

during; while; throughout; in the process of

while; during; between; in the period of

During the period of / while; Before something changes or happens; Within the time when ... happens

ないうちに

before it happens; before doing something becomes true; before it ends/advances; before it’s no longer possible; while still in the state of not ...