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〜つつ・〜つつも

while (doing); although

Verb ます-stem + つつ / つつも

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つつ is a written, literary version of ながら, with the same two meanings.

While: two actions by the same person at once: 音楽を聴きつつ、勉強する, "I study while listening to music". 周りの意見を聞きつつ、計画を進める.

Although, usually as つつも: 体に悪いと知りつつも、つい食べてしまう, "even though I know it's bad for me, I can't help eating it". The first half is often 知る, 思う or わかる, admitting you know better.

It attaches to the ます-stem. Don't confuse it with つつある (N3), "in the process of". In conversation, ながら is far more natural; つつ belongs in essays, speeches and fiction.

Examples

  • 音楽おんがくを聴ききつつ、勉強べんきょうする。

    I study while listening to music.

  • 体からだに悪わるいと知しりつつも、つい食たべてしまう。

    Even though I know it's bad for me, I can't help eating it.

  • 景色けしきを楽たのしみつつ、歩あるいた。

    I walked along, enjoying the scenery.

  • 悪わるいと思おもいつつも、約束やくそくを破やぶってしまった。

    Although I knew it was wrong, I broke my promise.

  • 周まわりの意見いけんを聞ききつつ、計画けいかくを進すすめる。

    We'll move the plan forward while listening to people's views.

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