JLPT N2・N5 Grammar – Difference between “〜ながら” and “〜つつ”
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Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜ながら” and “〜つつ”
2. 〜ながら
3. 〜つつ
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Atricles
8. Comment
Q: Do ”〜ながら” and ”〜つつ” have the same meaning?”
A: ”〜ながら” and ”〜つつ” essentially describe a situation where a person is performing two actions simultaneously.
However, there can be differences in the relationship between these two actions, and using them incorrectly can lead to strange meanings. Here, we will also explain these differences.
〜ながら (JLPT N5)
[Meaning]
A ながら B
Action A is continuing, and Action B is also performed simultaneously.
[Rule]
[V] Verb Stem form+ながら
[Examples]
いつもテレビを見ながらご飯を食べます。
I always eat while watching TV.
Shiftキーを押しながらクリックしてください。
Please click while holding down the Shift key.
*In the structure ”AながらB”, the subject performing actions A and B is the same.
× わたしが宿題をしながら、弟はテレビを見ていました。
◯ わたしが宿題をしている間、弟はテレビを見ていました。
While I was doing my homework, my younger brother was watching TV.
〜つつ (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
A つつ B
Action A is continuing, and Action B is also performed simultaneously.
When performing simple actions simultaneously, it is the same as using “〜ながら”.
[Rule]
[V] Verb Stem form+つつ
[Examples]
いつもテレビを見つつご飯を食べます。
I always eat while watching TV.
Shiftキーを押しつつクリックしてください。
Please click while holding down the Shift key.
*In the structure ”AつつB”, the subject performing actions A and B is the same.
× わたしが宿題をしつつ、弟はテレビを見ていました。
◯ わたしが宿題をしている間、弟はテレビを見ていました。
While I was doing my homework, my younger brother was watching TV.
Let’s Compare
[Simultaneous Progress]
When performing a simple action simultaneously, there is not much difference between using “〜ながら” and ”〜つつ”; both involve performing two things at the same time.
In both cases, the main action comes in the latter part.
[Examples]
◯お茶を飲みながら話しましょう。
◯お茶を飲みつつ話しましょう。
Let’s talk while drinking tea.
⇒ Speaking is the main action.
◯京都の景色を見ながら色々なことを考えました。
◯京都の景色を見つつ色々なことを考えました。
I thought about various things while looking at the scenery in Kyoto.
⇒ Thinking is the main action.
[Duration and Range of Time]
When two actions are performed over a long period of time, ”〜ながら” must be used.
In this case, it does not mean that the two actions are being done at exactly the same time, but rather that the two actions are being carried out during a certain period.
[Example]
◯学費のためにアルバイトをしながら、大学に通っています。
× 学費のためにアルバイトをしつつ、大学に通っています。
I am working part-time to pay for tuition while attending university.
⇒Both ‘working part-time’ and ‘attending university’ are done simultaneously over several years.
◯仕事をしながら、子どもを育てています。
× をしつつ、子
I am raising children while working.
⇒ Both ‘working’ and ‘raising children’ are tasks that take a long time to accomplish.
[Continuous or Intermittent 1]
When two actions are continuously performed at the same time, ”〜ながら” is used.
On the other hand, using ”〜つつ” implies that the actions are simultaneous but give a more intermittent impression compared to ”〜ながら”.
[Examples]
◯この歌手
This singer can also dance while singing.
⇒ Singing and dancing are happening simultaneously.
◯この歌手
This singer can also dance while singing.
⇒ It gives the impression that sometimes they are singing and dancing.
[Continuous or Intermittent 2]
Using ”〜つつ” gives the impression that the action is intermittent, and the speaker’s attention tends to be focused more on the second action.
[Example]
音楽
Let’s do homework while listening to music.
⇒ Listening to music, but trying to concentrate on homework.
[Cases of Inattention]
When performing two actions simultaneously, there may be cases of inattention. In such cases, ”〜ながら” must be used.
This means that the action using ”〜ながら” can interfere with the main action, leading to unexpected results mentioned later in the sentence.
[Examples]
◯スマホを見
× スマホを見
I fell off the platform while walking and looking at my smartphone.
⇒ Due to looking at my smartphone, the action of walking is hindered.
Moreover, falling onto the platform was an unexpected outcome.
◯ゲームしながら、宿題
× ゲームしつつ、宿題
I got scolded by my mom for doing homework while playing video games.
⇒ Playing games has hindered the speaker’s ability to do the homework.
Additionally, getting scolded by mother was an unexpected result.
![](https://enuncia.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1b7db4d09fe43439064aa0fd96981a71.jpg)
Summary
〜ながら・〜つつ
- In the case of simple actions being performed simultaneously, either can be used.
- The main action is used after.
〜ながら
- It represents two actions that have been carried out over a certain period.
- It is used when two actions are continuously performed.
- It is used when the first action hinders the main action.
〜つつ
- It is used when the first action is intermittent.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A.ながら
大学
I am working at a hospital while doing research at graduate school.
*Since both studying and working span over a long period, ‘ながら’ is the correct choice.
A. ながら・つつ
コーヒーでも飲
コーヒーでも飲
Would you like to talk while having some coffee?
*In this case, both ‘ながら’ and ‘つつ’ are appropriate since simultaneous progress is possible.
A. ながら
いつも辞書
I always read Japanese books with the help of a dictionary.
*Because I’m simultaneously using a dictionary while reading a Japanese book, ‘ながら’ is the correct choice.
A. ながら
電話
I messed up the cooking while I was on the phone.
*Since talking on the phone hindered cooking and led to an unexpected failure, ‘ながら’ is the correct choice.