JLPT N2 Grammar: つつ (tsutsu)

つつ (tsutsu)

Meaning: while; although

How to use the: Verb-ますstem + つつ (も)

Explain:
While, When the speaker is in a state of reflection, regret, confession.

Example sentences:
1, 彼は、「春ももう終わりですね」と言いつつ、庭へ目をやった。
Kare wa,`haru mo mō owaridesu ne’ to iitsutsu, niwa e me o yatta.
He said “Spring has ended” while looking out into the garden

2, 静かな青い海を眺めつつ、良子は物思いにふけっていた。
Shizukana aoi umi o nagametsutsu, Ryōko wa monoomoi ni fukette ita.
Yoshiko was lost in thought as she watched the calm blue sea

3, わたしはだれとでも仲よくしつつ、だれとも親密にならないようにしていた。
watashi wa dare to demo nakayoku shi tsutsu, dare tomo shinmitsu ni naranai you ni shite ita.
I stayed on friendly terms with everybody and got close to nobody.

Attention:
Only used with that V－ます形つつ Used a lot in writing, due to the somewhat stiff speech.
The meaning is the same as ～ながら The action behind つつ is the main action Same as the pattern ～つつも Used in serious speech and expression