Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering ～につけ (Ni Tsuke): Expressing “Whenever” and “Whether…Or…” in Japanese

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

The grammar pattern ～につけ (ni tsuke) primarily conveys the meaning of “whenever,” “every time,” or “whether…or…” depending on the context. It indicates that a certain action, emotion, or state consistently occurs or arises in direct relation to a specific situation or event.

🎯 Primary Function

Its primary function is to express a consistent consequence, feeling, or action that occurs whenever a particular condition or situation is met. It emphasizes a strong connection between the trigger and the result, often with a slightly contemplative or emotional nuance.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb (plain form: 辞書形 or た形) + につけ Noun + につけ *Often appears in the pattern AにつけBにつけ (A or B, always C). In this case, A and B are usually contrasting nouns or i-adjectives/na-adjectives in their plain forms.

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Frequently used in formal writing, speeches, and more structured conversations, lending a somewhat literary or reflective tone.

😊 Informal Situations

Less common in very casual, everyday conversation, but can be heard in more thoughtful or narrative contexts.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in written Japanese, including essays, literature, news articles, and formal reports.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in spoken Japanese, but often in more reflective or formal speech rather than quick, informal exchanges.

💡 Common Applications

Expressing a consistent emotion or thought evoked by a situation.
This pattern is often used to describe how a particular feeling or memory consistently comes to mind whenever a certain event or condition occurs.
Example: この写真を見るにつけ、楽しかった日々を思い出す。(Kono shashin o miru ni tsuke, tanoshikatta hibi o omoidasu.) – Whenever I see this photo, I remember the fun days.
Indicating an action or state that occurs regardless of two contrasting situations.
When used in the form “AにつけBにつけ,” it means “whether A or B, (something) always happens/is true.” It connects two contrasting situations to a single, consistent outcome.
Example: 嬉しいにつけ悲しいにつけ、家族の存在は大きい。(Ureshii ni tsuke kanashii ni tsuke, kazoku no sonzai wa ookii.) – Whether happy or sad, the presence of family is significant.
Describing an inevitable or natural consequence.
It can describe something that naturally or inevitably follows from a specific situation, often implying a sense of a natural course of events.
Example: 環境が変わるにつけ、生活習慣も変わっていく。(Kankyou ga kawaru ni tsuke, seikatsu shuukan mo kawatte iku.) – As the environment changes, one’s lifestyle habits also change.
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal and written Japanese, less so in casual spoken Japanese.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (JLPT N2 level). Requires understanding of its nuanced applications and different forms.
Example Sentences
彼の話を聞くにつけ、故郷が恋しくなる。(Kare no hanashi o kiku ni tsuke, kokyou ga koishiku naru.)
Whenever I hear his stories, I yearn for my hometown.
喜びにつけ悲しみにつけ、友人はいつもそばにいてくれた。(Yorokobi ni tsuke kanashimi ni tsuke, yuujin wa itsumo soba ni ite kureta.)
Whether in joy or sorrow, my friend was always by my side.
成長するにつけ、子供の興味も変わっていった。(Seichou suru ni tsuke, kodomo no kyoumi mo kawatte itta.)
As they grew, the child’s interests also changed.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Dual Meaning
It has two primary interpretations: “whenever” (similar to ～たびに) and “whether…or…” (often with contrasting pairs). It’s crucial to understand which nuance applies based on the context.
Example: 「彼は嬉しいにつけ悲しいにつけ、この歌を歌う」 (He sings this song whether he’s happy or sad.) vs. 「その話を聞くにつけ、疑問が湧いた」 (Whenever I heard that story, doubts arose.)
Emotional or Contemplative Nuance
Compared to simpler “whenever” expressions, ～につけ often carries a more reflective, emotional, or philosophical tone, implying that the feeling or thought naturally arises from the situation.
Example: 人生の困難を乗り越えるにつけ、人は成長する。(Jinsei no konnan o norikoeru ni tsuke, hito wa seichou suru.) – Whenever one overcomes life’s difficulties, one grows (implies a natural progression/reflection).

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Confusing with ～たびに (tabi ni)
✅ While both mean “whenever,” ～たびに generally describes a repeated *action* or *event*, whereas ～につけ often describes a repeated *feeling*, *thought*, or *natural consequence* that arises from a situation. ～につけ also has the “whether…or…” meaning, which ～たびに does not.
Use ～たびに for frequent, observable actions (e.g., 会うたびに話す – talk every time we meet). Use ～につけ for feelings or broader situations (e.g., 彼の顔を見るにつけ、昔を思い出す – remember the past whenever I see his face).
❌ Incorrect particle usage with nouns
✅ For nouns, use Noun + につけ. Do not use の前に or other particles.
Incorrect: 試合の前ににつけ (Shiai no mae ni ni tsuke). Correct: 試合につけ (Shiai ni tsuke) when paired with another noun.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral to slightly formal. It does not carry specific politeness implications itself, but its usage often aligns with more formal or literary contexts.
Social Situations: More common in reflective discussions, academic writing, or descriptive passages. Less common in casual banter.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in its meaning or usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～につけ vs. ～たびに (tabi ni)
～につけ emphasizes a consistent mental or emotional response, or a natural consequence, often with a slightly literary feel. It also includes the “whether…or…” meaning. ～たびに simply means “every time” and is used for more concrete, repeated actions or events.
When to use: Use ～につけ for feelings, reflections, or the “whether…or…” structure. Use ～たびに for describing repetitive actions or occurrences.
～につけ vs. ～と (to)
～と also indicates “whenever/if,” but it implies a direct, automatic result or natural law. ～につけ implies a more consistent, often emotional or reflective, response or a conditional consistency (“whether A or B”).
When to use: Use ～と for universal truths or direct, automatic consequences (e.g., 水は100度になると沸騰する – Water boils at 100 degrees). Use ～につけ for personal reflections, emotions, or the “A or B” structure.
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When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

Verbs: Plain form (辞書形 or た形) + につけ. For example, 見るにつけ, 聞くにつけ, 育つにつけ, 食べたにつけ (though た形 is less common for “whenever”). Nouns: Noun + につけ. Often used in paired expressions like 喜びにつけ悲しみにつけ. Adjectives: For い-adjectives, it’s the plain form + につけ (e.g., 嬉しいにつけ). For な-adjectives, it’s the plain form + につけ (e.g., 暇なにつけ – although less common for single usage).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The “ni tsuke” part is pronounced clearly, with a slight pause before it when following a full phrase. When paired (AにつけBにつけ), ensure a smooth flow between the two contrasting elements.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 「つける」 (tsukeru) meaning “to attach” or “to connect.” So, 「～につけ」 can be thought of as “connected to ~,” implying that whenever ~ happens, something else is connected or arises. For “AにつけBにつけ,” visualize two paths (A and B) that always lead to the same outcome or feeling.

Vocabulary List
故郷
kokyou
hometown
恋しい
koishii
miss; yearn for
喜び
yorokobi
joy; delight
悲しみ
kanashimi
sadness; sorrow
友人
yuujin
friend
成長
seichou
growth
興味
interest
Kanji List
故
ko
old; hometown
郷
kyou
hometown; village
聞
kiku
to hear; to listen
恋
koi
love; yearning
喜
yorokobi
joy; pleasure
悲
kanashimi
sadness; sorrow
友
yuu
friend
人
jin
person
成
sei
to become; to grow
長
chou
long; elder; leader
興
kyou
interest; entertainment
Practice Exercises
彼女の手紙を読む_____、故郷の家族を思い出す。
につき
につけ
にわたって
によって
彼は良い_____悪い_____、いつも笑顔を絶やさない。
につけ／にわたって
につけ／につけ
につき／につき
にとって／にとって
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