～つつ(も)

How to form it

• Verb (ます-stem) + つつ
• Verb (ます-stem) + つつも (although)

Register: Formal, written

Explanation

Has two uses. Plain つつ means two actions happening at the same time by the same person. つつも means 'although', for a contradiction between a state of mind and an action.

With つつも the speaker often admits that they know or feel something, yet act otherwise.

Examples

1. 彼は音楽を聞きつつ、勉強している。

   かれはおんがくをききつつ、べんきょうしている。

   He is studying while listening to music.

2. 迷いつつも、結局その仕事を引き受けた。

   まよいつつも、けっきょくそのしごとをひきうけた。

   Although I hesitated, in the end I accepted the job.

3. 悪いと知りつつ、嘘をついてしまった。

   わるいとしりつつ、うそをついてしまった。

   Knowing it was wrong, I ended up lying.

Compare with

• ～ながらも: ながらも is a similar 'although'; つつも is more formal and more tied to the speaker's attitude.

Common mistakes

• Using つつ for two different actors. The subject must be the same.