in the process of, gradually

Intermediate

20-25 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Indicates an ongoing change or gradual process.

[Verb ます-stem] + つつある

環境問題は改善されつつある。

Kankyou mondai wa kaizen saretsutsu aru.

Environmental problems are gradually being improved.

彼の健康は回復しつつある。

Kare no kenkou wa kaifuku shitsutsu aru.

His health is in the process of recovering.

Used for gradual changes, not sudden ones.

～つつ

while doing, even while

～ために (tame ni)

in order to ~, for the purpose of ~

～のに (noni)

although ~, despite ~, even though ~

～にもかかわらず

despite ~, in spite of ~

～ようになる

come to ~, become able to ~, reach the point where ~

Common in news and formal reports.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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