N149/186

つ〜つ

V-ます-stem + つつN/A

Meanings

doing two actions at the same time
doing A while doing B
simultaneous or contrastive actions

About this pattern

Explanation

つつ attaches to the 連用形 (masu-stem) of a verb to show that another action is happening at the same time as, or in contrast to, the main action. It often conveys a deliberate or reflective nuance, and can imply that the two actions occur simultaneously with some consideration or restraint. It is more literary or formal than the more common 〜ながら.

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Example sentences

彼は音楽を聴きつつ勉強している。

He is studying while listening to music.

彼女は笑いつつ涙を拭った。

She smiled while wiping away tears.

私は質問を聞きつつ、メモを取った。

I took notes while listening to the questions.

風を避けつつ歩く。

Walks while avoiding the wind.

彼は答えを考えつつ、ゆっくり話した。

He spoke slowly while thinking about the answer.

Related patterns

に至るまで

from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including

たところで

No matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~

如く・如き・如し

like; similar to; as if; the same as

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More N1 patterns

に至るまで

from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including

たところで

No matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~

如く・如き・如し

like; similar to; as if; the same as

to be worthy of; to be enough for; to be sufficient

極まりない・極まる

extreme; extremely; unbearably; to an extreme degree

といえども

Even though; Even if; Although; Despite