Japanese grammar

What does ～つつ mean? Japanese grammar N2

～つつ means while…; even though… still (written style).

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N2
Structure	Vます形 (drop ます) + つつ Vます形 + つつも (concessive)
Romaji	tsutsu
Meaning	while…; even though… still (written style)

Forming it

Concessive	思う → 思いつつ（も）
Simultaneous	見る → 見つつ

How to use it

Two meanings: (a) two simultaneous actions; (b) concessive "even though, still". Written style.

Meaning (a) SIMULTANEOUS: 「音楽を聴きつつ、レポートを書く」 — the written-style version of 「ながら」.
Meaning (b) CONCESSIVE: 「体に悪いと知りつつ、タバコをやめられない」 (knowing it's harmful yet still unable to quit). Adding 「も」 makes the concessive meaning clearer.
Both clauses must SHARE the same subject, and it attaches to the masu-stem.

Examples

体(からだ)に悪(わる)いと知(し)りつつ、タバコがやめられない。
Even knowing it is bad for me, I cannot quit smoking.
資料(しりょう)を確認(かくにん)しつつ、説明(せつめい)を進(すす)めた。
I continued the explanation while checking the documents.

Keep in mind

Both clauses share the same subject.
Attaches to the masu-stem; conversation uses 「ながら」.

Common mistakes

Wrong彼(かれ)が話(はな)しつつ、私(わたし)は聞(き)いていた。

He was talking while I was listening.

Correct彼(かれ)は話(はな)しつつ、資料(しりょう)を配(くば)った。

Both clauses must share the same subject.
Wrongテレビを見(み)るつつ、宿題(しゅくだい)をした。

I did my homework while watching TV.

Correctテレビを見(み)つつ、宿題(しゅくだい)をした。

Attaches to the MASU-STEM 「見」.

Exam tips

「つつ」 = while… / even though (written style); same subject, masu-stem.

Related patterns

All N2 grammar →