つつも
Even while ~ing, Even though ~ing, Despite ~ing, Although ~ing
Structure
Explanation
Building on the core meaning of つつ ('while'), the particle も introduces a sense of 'even' or 'despite'. This creates the pattern 'Although (A), (B)' or 'Even while (A), (B)'. The second part of the sentence, (B), will typically express an outcome that contrasts with the action or state described in (A).
Like つつ, つつも connects to the ます-stem of the verb that describes the ongoing action or state.
- 勉強しなければいけないと分かりつつも、ついゲームをしてしまった。Even though I knew I had to study, I ended up playing video games.
- 悪いと思いつつも、なかなか謝れなかった。Although I felt that I was in the wrong, I just couldn't bring myself to apologize.
Caution
Similar to つつ, つつも is most often used when the first action (A) is a mental or perceptual one, like thinking, knowing, or feeling. The second action (B) can be either mental or physical. In this way, つつも is very close in meaning to ながらも.
- ひどい風邪をひいていながらも、彼女は試験を受けに行った。Despite having a bad cold, she went to take the exam. (Natural Japanese)
- ひどい風邪をひいていつつも、彼女は試験を受けに行った。Even while having a bad cold, she went to take the exam. (Physical state, unnatural Japanese)
- 夜遅くお菓子を食べるのは体に悪いと知りながらも、ケーキを一切れ食べてしまった。Despite knowing that eating sweets late at night is unhealthy, I ate a slice of cake anyway. (Natural Japanese)
- 夜遅くお菓子を食べるのは体に悪いと知りつつも、ケーキを一切れ食べてしまった。Although I knew that eating sweets late at night was bad for me, I still ate a slice of cake. (Non-physical, natural Japanese)
Despite their similarities, a key difference to remember is that つつ is used exclusively with verbs, whereas ながら can follow a wider range of word types.
Examples
急ぎつつも、結局会議に遅れてしまった。
Despite rushing, I ended up being late for the meeting.
体に悪いと分かりつつも、夜中にラーメンを食べてしまう。
Despite knowing it's bad for my health, I end up eating ramen late at night.
何度も謝りつつも、彼女は許してくれなかった。
Despite apologizing many times, she wouldn't forgive me.
疲れを感じつつも、最後までプロジェクトを頑張った。
Despite feeling tired, I worked hard on the project until the very end.
会社は利益が減りつつも、社員の給料を上げた。
Despite its profits decreasing, the company raised its employees' salaries.
言うべきではないと思いつつも、つい秘密を話してしまった。
Despite thinking I shouldn't say it, I ended up blurting out the secret.
仕事を辞めたいと思いつつも、毎日会社へ通っている。
Despite thinking I want to quit my job, I still go to work every day.
危険を知りつつも、彼は新しい事業を始めた。
Despite knowing the risks, he started a new business.
日本語の能力が足りないと実感しつつも、ネイティブの人と話してみた。
Despite feeling that my Japanese ability was insufficient, I tried talking to a native speaker.
先生の話を聞きつつも、頭の中では別のことを考えていた。
Even while listening to the teacher, I was thinking about something else in my head.
狭いアパートに住みつつも、幸せに暮らしている。
Despite living in a small apartment, I am living happily.
その計画に疑問を抱きつつも、リーダーの指示に従った。
Despite having doubts about the plan, I followed the leader's instructions.