〜つつ
JLPT N3:while / although (literary)
A literary version of ながら, meaning "while doing" or "although".
How to form it
- Start from the ます form and replace ます with つつ: 聞きます becomes 聞きつつ.
- "While": 景色を楽しみつつ歩く (walk while enjoying the view).
- "Although", often with も: 悪いと知りつつも、嘘をついた (although I knew it was wrong, I lied).
Examples
悪いと知りつつ、嘘をついた。
I knew it was wrong, but I lied.
音楽を聞きつつ、勉強する。
I study while listening to music.
Notes
- It is mostly written, or used in formal speech.
Similar meaning
- 〜ながらwhile doing
"While doing" in everyday speech.
- 〜ながらalthough
"Although" with ながら; less literary.
Same form, different meaning
- 〜つつあるis in the process of
つつある: "is in the process of".