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〜つつ
N2 while (doing) / although
Formation: V-masu stem + つつ (also つつも)
A formal written equivalent of ながら. It can mean two actions happening at the same time ('while doing'), or it can be concessive ('although', especially in つつも). It is common in editorials and speeches. Do not confuse it with 〜つつある, which means an ongoing change ('is in the process of').
Variants: つつも、つつ
Examples
- 伝統を守りつつ、新しい技術を取り入れる。
We adopt new technology while preserving tradition. - 体に悪いと知りつつも、たばこがやめられない。
Although I know it's bad for me, I can't quit smoking.
In real texts 2 occurrence(s)
あまい、からい、すい 柴崎友香 · 2026年11月4日
東京に住んで二十年以上経つが、東京ではそういう言い方はしないとわかりつつ、自分にはしっくりこないので使い続けている言葉がいくつかある。
It has been more than twenty years since I came to live in Tokyo, but there are a few words I keep using, even though I know people in Tokyo don't say it that way, because the Tokyo way just doesn't feel right to me.
つつ attaches to the masu-stem of わかる and works concessively here: "even though I know". She knows the Tokyo usage, yet she 使い続けている (keeps using) her own words anyway. つつ is a little more written than ながら and suits an essay's reflective tone. Note that the same pattern in p6s1 (おもしろいと思いつつ) is closer to plain simultaneity: "while thinking it's interesting, I go off…". Decide between "although" and "while" from the contrast in the main clause.
ＡＩ時代の読書 非効率な出会いの意味 · 2026年11月3日
全国津々浦々に多様な本を届けられる従来の利点はできるだけ残しつつ、仕組みを再構築していきたい。
We want to rebuild the system while keeping, as far as possible, its traditional advantage of being able to deliver a wide variety of books to every corner of the country.
つつ attaches to the stem of 残す and links two things done together: keep the old strength (delivering diverse books nationwide) while rebuilding the system. The sentence balances preservation and reform, which is the editorial's final position: fix the inefficiency without losing its benefits. つつ is more formal than ながら. Also note つつある ('in the process of') and the concessive 〜つつも ('although'), which work differently.