N2 · Expressions (N2)
つつ and つつある: while, and under way
while; although; is in the process of
A written ながら, a concessive "even while", and a change that is under way.
つつ attaches to the stem of a verb — the form before ます — and in its simplest use it is a written ながら: one person doing two things at once. 景色を楽しみつつ歩く, "walking while enjoying the scenery". As with ながら, both actions belong to the same subject.
More often, and more usefully, つつ or つつも is concessive: "even while", "although". It typically follows a verb of knowing or thinking, and the second half acts against that knowledge: 体に悪いと知りつつ、やめられない, "knowing it is bad for me, I still cannot stop". The も makes the concession clearer.
つつある describes a change that is under way and not yet complete: 景気は回復しつつある, "the economy is recovering". It belongs to news and reports, and it only works with verbs of change. It is not a general "-ing": somebody eating dinner right now is 食べている.
That is the usual mistake. English "is -ing" covers both an activity and a gradual change, and Japanese splits them: ている for an action going on, つつある for a state moving towards another state.
The form
| while (a written ながら) | 考えつつ |
| although knowing | 知りつつ |
| although, more clearly | 思いつつも |
| a する-verb | 回復しつつある |
| a change under way | 変わりつつある |
| polite | 増えつつあります |
The rules one by one
つつ follows the ます-stem; as "while", both actions have the same subject.
音楽を聞きつつ、仕事を進めた。I got on with my work while listening to music.
つつ or つつも after a verb of knowing or thinking means "even while", "although".
悪いと思いつつも、返事を先に延ばしてしまった。I knew it was wrong, and still I kept putting off my reply.
つつある: a change is under way and not yet finished.
町の様子は少しずつ変わりつつある。The town is slowly changing.
つつある needs a verb of change; an action in progress is ている.
今、昼ご飯を食べている。I am having lunch right now.
A closer look
つつ and ながら
The two overlap almost completely in meaning. Both say "while" with one subject, and both turn concessive with も: ながらも and つつも are both "although". The difference is register: ながら is everyday, つつ is written and a little literary.
They also differ in what they attach to. ながら can follow a noun or an adjective in its concessive sense — 残念ながら, 子どもながら — while つつ follows verbs only. And only つつ has the form つつある; there is no ながらある.
How to spot it
- つつ
- つつも
- つつある
- つつあります
Example sentences
彼は周りの意見を聞きつつ、計画を立てた。He drew up the plan while listening to the views of those around him.
早く寝なければと思いつつ、つい夜更かししてしまう。I keep telling myself I must go to bed early, and end up staying up late anyway.
地球の気温は上昇しつつある。The earth's temperature is rising.
彼女は緊張しつつも、最後まで発表をやり遂げた。Nervous as she was, she saw her presentation through to the end.
新しい技術が社会に広がりつつある。The new technology is spreading through society.
台風は北へ進みつつあります。The typhoon is moving north.
7 more example sentences
会社の業績は回復しつつある。The company's results are recovering.
言ってはいけないと知りつつ、話してしまった。I knew I should not say it, and I told them anyway.
川の流れを眺めつつ、昔のことを思い出した。Gazing at the river, I remembered the old days.
日本の家族の形は変化しつつある。The shape of the Japanese family is changing.
予算を考えつつ、旅行の計画を立てる。I plan the trip with one eye on the budget.
失敗を恐れつつも、彼は挑戦を続けた。Afraid of failing as he was, he kept on trying.
絶滅しつつある動物を守る活動が行われている。Work is going on to protect animals that are dying out.
Worth knowing (1)
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Only after verbs
ながら can follow a noun or an adjective when it means "although": 残念ながら, "unfortunately", is a fixed phrase. つつ cannot; it always needs a verb stem in front, so 残念つつ is not Japanese.
残念ながら、今回は参加できません。Unfortunately, I cannot take part this time.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
English "I am reading" uses the same "-ing" as "the climate is changing", and Japanese does not. Reading is an action in progress, which is ている. つつある describes a state that is turning into another one, gradually, and it belongs with verbs such as 変わる, 増える and 回復する.
つつ is a written ながら or an "although"; つつある is a change still on its way.
Your turn
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