JLPT N1・N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜たり〜たり” and “〜つ〜つ”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜たり〜たり” and “〜つ〜つ”
2. 〜たり〜たり
3. 〜つ〜つ
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similer Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “～たり～たり” and “～つ～つ”?
A: Both express repeated or paired actions, but they differ clearly in usage, style, and meaning.
～たり～たり (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
It expresses the repetition of the same action by combining opposite verbs, or an active form with a passive form.
[Rule]
[V] Verb past form + り + Verb past form + り + する
(opposite verbs / active form + passive form)
[A, Na] Adjective past form + り + Adjective past form + り + する
[Examples]
ねこが部屋を行ったり来たりしています。(Opposite verbs)
The cat goes back and forth in the room.
最近、暑かったり寒かったりします。(Opposite adjectives)
Recently, it’s sometimes hot and sometimes cold.
満員電車では押したり押されたりして大変です。(Active + Passive)
On a crowded train, people push and get pushed, so it’s tough.
“～たり～たり” expresses the repetition of an action by combining verbs with opposite meanings, or by pairing the active and passive forms of the same verb. There are almost no restrictions on which verbs can be used, and it is widely used in both written and spoken language.
[Examples]
ドアを開けたり閉めたりしないでください。
Please don’t keep opening and closing the door.
立ったり座ったりするのも、いい運動です。
Standing up and sitting down again and again is also good exercise.
～つ～つ (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
It expresses that an action is carried out repeatedly by combining opposite verbs or by pairing the active and passive forms of the same verb.
[Rule]
[V] Verb stem + つ + Verb stem + つ
(opposite verbs / active form + passive form)
[Common verb combinations]
(Opposite verbs) 行く(go)・戻る(return), 付く(attach)・離れる(separate), 見える(appear)・隠れる(disappear) etc.
(Active + passive) 押す(push), 持つ(hold)、抜く(overtake), 浮く(float), 追う(chase) etc.
[Examples]
泣きつ笑いつして、祖父は自分の昔の話をしていました。(Opposite verbs)
Laughing and crying by turns, my grandfather was talking about his old days.
抜きつ抜かれつしながら、最後まで走りぬきました。(Active + Passive)
Overtaking and being overtaken, I kept running until the very end.
“～つ～つ” is a more literary and formal expression than “～たり～たり.”
Another characteristic is that the combinations of verbs that can be used are limited, and it is often employed in idiomatic expressions.
When it is used to express simple repeated actions, it can be replaced by “～たり～たり.” However, in idiomatic expressions, it cannot be replaced, so caution is needed.
[Examples]
雲のせいで富士山が見えつ隠れつしています。
Because of the clouds, Mt. Fuji kept appearing and disappearing.
⇒〇見えたり隠れたり
この周辺に詳しくないので、行きつ戻りつして目的地に着きました。
Since I wasn’t familiar with this area, I went back and forth before finally reaching my destination.
⇒〇行ったり戻ったり
友人と食べつ飲みつして、食事を楽しみました。
I enjoyed the meal with my friend, eating and drinking together.
⇒〇食べたり飲んだり
・持ちつ持たれつ
Helping and supporting each other
[Example]
私たちは持ちつ持たれつの関係で、仕事でも私生活でも支え合っています。
We have a mutually supportive relationship, helping each other both at work and in our private lives.
・差しつ差されつ
Drinking together while mutually pouring drinks for one another
[Example]
宴会では、差しつ差されつの和やかな雰囲気が続いていました。
At the banquet, a friendly atmosphere of everyone pouring drinks for one another continued.
Let’s Compare
Which of the following is more appropriate?
[Example]
①立ったり座ったりする。
②立ちつ座りつする。
The correct answer is 1.
“～つ～つ” can only be used with certain verbs, and even if the verbs are opposites like “stand” and “sit,” it cannot be used with instantaneous verbs that are completed in a moment.
An instantaneous verb is a verb whose action or state is completed in a single moment.
Because the span from the beginning to the end of the action is very short—almost instantaneous—it often does not fit well with the progressive form (～ている) or with expressions of repetition.
[Examples of instantaneous verbs]
生きる(live)・死ぬ(die), 始める(begin)・終わ (end), 起きる(wake up)・寝る(go to sleep) etc.
These verbs are difficult to describe as being “in the middle of doing.” For instance, expressions like “is awake” or “is dead” usually indicate the resulting state, rather than the action in progress.
Summary
[〜たり〜たり]
- Expresses repeated actions.
- Almost no restrictions on the verbs that can be used.
- Used widely, from written to spoken language.
[～つ～つ]
- Expresses repeated actions.
- The verbs that can be used are limited.
- Often used as idiomatic expressions, which cannot be replaced by “～たり～たり”.
- More common in written and formal language.
- Cannot be used with instantaneous verbs.
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. 寝たり起きたり
赤ちゃんは寝たり起きたりしています。
The baby keeps sleeping and waking up.
*“Sleep” and “wake up” are instantaneous verbs, so “～たり～たり” is correct.
A. 立ったり座ったり
前の人が立ったり座ったりして画面が見えないよ。
The person in front keeps standing up and sitting down, so I can’t see the screen.
*“Stand” and “sit” are instantaneous verbs, so “～たり～たり” is correct.
A. 持ちつ持たれつ
私たちは昔から持ちつ持たれつの関係で困ったときはお互いさまです。
We have always had a mutually supportive relationship, helping each other when in trouble.
*This is an idiomatic expression, so “持ちつ持たれつ” is correct.
A. 差しつ差 されつ
同僚と差しつ差 されつ杯を交わしながら話をしました。
I chatted with my colleague while exchanging drinks back and forth.
*This is an idiomatic expression, so “差しつ差 されつ” is correct.
Similer Articles
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