JLPT N2 grammar
〜つつ(も) — Meaning & Examples
"Even while / even though." [ます-stem] + つつも — acting against your own awareness, often inner conflict. 悪いと知りつつもうそをついた. Without も, 〜つつ = "while" (literary ながら).
〜つつ(も) — "Even While / Even Though"
つつも expresses doing one thing while aware of something that conflicts with it — often an inner contradiction. It's literary in tone.
Pattern: [verb ます-stem] + つつも
悪いと知りつつも、うそをついてしまった。
= Even though I knew it was wrong, I ended up lying.
ダイエット中だと思いつつも、ケーキを食べてしまった。
= Even while telling myself I'm on a diet, I ate the cake.
直さなければと思いつつ、ついそのままにしてしまう。
= Even though I think I should fix it, I keep leaving it as is.
Without も — 〜つつ = "while (simultaneously)": the literary equivalent of 〜ながら:
お茶を飲みつつ、新聞を読む。
= Reading the newspaper while drinking tea.
The difference:
・〜つつ = while doing (simultaneous, literary ながら)
・〜つつも = even while / even though (concession — there's a clash)
Key feeling: Acting against your own better judgement — the も adds "and yet." Perfect for inner conflict.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜つつ(も). Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which concession word is the MOST formal, common in news and writing?
- ものの (mono no)
- くせに (kuse ni)
- にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)
- つつ (tsutsu)
Show answer
Answer: にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)
にもかかわらず = a strong, formal "despite," frequent in news and written Japanese. More formal than のに.
2. "Although I got my licence, I can't drive (no car)" is best expressed with?
- 免許は取ったものの (menkyo wa totta mono no)
- 免許は取ったくせに (menkyo wa totta kuse ni)
- 免許を取りつつ (menkyo o toritsutsu)
- 免許を取るにもかかわらず (menkyo o toru ni mo kakawarazu)
Show answer
Answer: 免許は取ったものの (menkyo wa totta mono no)
ものの concedes a fact then notes a clash: 免許は取ったものの、車がないので運転できない.
3. 〜つつも attaches to which verb form?
- Dictionary form
- ない-form
- ます-stem (連用形)
- て-form
Show answer
Answer: ます-stem (連用形)
つつも follows the ます-stem: 知る→知り→知りつつも, 思う→思い→思いつつも.
Practise 〜つつ(も) in the free app
This point is part of the “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N2 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
Free on iPhone and Android · No ads
Related N2 grammar points
From the same lesson: Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜つつ(も) mean?
"Even while / even though." [ます-stem] + つつも — acting against your own awareness, often inner conflict. 悪いと知りつつもうそをついた. Without も, 〜つつ = "while" (literary ながら).
Is 〜つつ(も) on the JLPT N2 test?
〜つつ(も) is taught in the JLPT N2 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜つつ(も)?
Open the “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N2 mock exams, with no ads.