Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering N2 Grammar: Understanding 「につき」- The Formal Japanese “Due To” and “Per”

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

「につき」 means “due to,” “because of,” “on account of,” or “per/for each.” It indicates a reason, cause, or condition for something, or a rate/proportion.

🎯 Primary Function

Its primary function is to state a reason or cause in highly formal, official, or written contexts, often for public announcements, business documents, or warnings. It also functions to specify a rate or quantity per unit.

📋 Grammar Structure

Noun + につき Verb (Plain form) + の + につき (Less common, mostly when the verb describes an event or state that becomes a reason) い-adjective (Plain form) + の + につき (Very rare) な-adjective + な + の + につき (Very rare)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Very common in public notices, official announcements, business letters, and legal documents. It signals a formal and often impersonal tone.

😊 Informal Situations

Rarely, if ever, used. Using 「につき」 in casual conversation would sound extremely stiff, unnatural, and humorous.

✍️ Written Language

Predominantly used in written communication, such as signs, official reports, apologies, and policy explanations.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Less common in everyday spoken Japanese, but heard in formal announcements (e.g., train station broadcasts), news reports, or when delivering official information orally.

💡 Common Applications

Stating a Reason or Cause (理由・原因)
Used to present the reason or cause behind an action, event, or situation, especially when making an announcement or giving an explanation in a formal setting. It often precedes a consequence or action.
Example: 工事につき、ご迷惑をおかけします。 (Due to construction, we apologize for the inconvenience.)
Indicating a Rate or Proportion (割合・単位)
Used with numbers or units to clearly state “per” or “for each” (e.g., per person, per hour, per item). This usage is very common in pricing, limits, or capacity descriptions.
Example: お一人様につき、一個限りとさせていただきます。 (It will be limited to one per person.)
Specifying a Condition or Basis (条件・根拠)
While less common than stating a direct reason, 「につき」 can sometimes imply “as a result of” or “based on” a certain condition, leading to a specific outcome. This nuance is still within the realm of providing a formal explanation.
Example: 定員につき、受付を締め切りました。 (Due to reaching capacity, registration has been closed.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal and written contexts, but infrequent in casual spoken Japanese.
🎚️
Difficulty
Moderate (JLPT N2). Understanding its specific formal nuance and appropriate contexts is key.
Example Sentences
本日はシステムメンテナンスにつき、サービスを一時停止いたします。
Due to system maintenance today, we will temporarily suspend our services.
悪天候につき、本日のイベントは中止となりました。
Due to bad weather, today’s event has been cancelled.
この駐車場は、車一台につき300円です。
This parking lot costs 300 yen per car.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

High Formality
「につき」 carries a very formal and official tone, making it suitable for public announcements, business correspondence, and formal apologies. It is significantly more formal than 「～ので」 or 「～から」.
Example: 工事につき、通行止めです。 (Due to construction, the road is closed.)
Usage in Announcements and Official Documents
It is most frequently encountered on signs, notices, and in official written communication where a concise and authoritative reason is provided for an action or situation.
Example: 急用につき、本日の会議は延期いたします。 (Due to urgent business, today’s meeting will be postponed.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using in casual conversation
✅ Avoid using 「につき」 in everyday, informal speech. It sounds unnatural and overly stiff.
「につき」 is strictly for formal and official contexts. Use 「～から」, 「～ので」, or 「～ため」 in casual situations.
❌ Confusing with 「～によって」
✅ While both can mean “due to,” 「につき」 focuses on stating a direct, often immediate, reason for a public/official action, whereas 「～によって」 has broader meanings like “by means of,” “depending on,” or a more general cause.
Think of 「につき」 as “because of X, Y is officially happening/announced.” 「～によって」 can be used for “discovered by,” “caused by,” “depending on the situation,” etc.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Very high. It conveys respect for the audience and formality of the message.
Social Situations: Primarily used in situations requiring official communication, such as public services, businesses addressing customers, or internal company announcements.
Regional Variations: Its usage and formality are consistent across Japan.

🔍 Subtle Differences

「につき」 vs. 「～ので」
「につき」 is highly formal and used in official announcements/documents. 「～ので」 is a general, more polite way to state a reason in everyday conversation.
When to use: Use 「につき」 for formal, written, and public announcements of reasons. Use 「～ので」 for general reasons in daily conversations.
「につき」 vs. 「～ため」
「につき」 is often for immediate, official notices of reasons leading to actions. 「～ため」 also indicates a reason/cause in formal contexts, but it can be used for more objective or logical explanations, and for both positive and negative outcomes. 「につき」 often implies a more direct, unavoidable consequence for the stated reason.
When to use: Use 「につき」 when stating a clear, concise, and often unavoidable reason for a formal action or announcement. Use 「～ため」 for broader formal reasons, often with a more explanatory tone.
「につき」 vs. 「～によって」
「につき」 specifically denotes a reason for a stated action or situation, especially in official contexts. 「～によって」 is broader, meaning “by means of,” “due to,” “depending on,” or “because of” in a more general sense of causation or dependence.
When to use: Use 「につき」 for public/official reasons that directly lead to an action (e.g., closure, cancellation). Use 「～によって」 when referring to methods, causes (broader sense), or conditions that vary.

📝 Conjugation Notes

「につき」 typically attaches directly to nouns. When attaching to verbs or adjectives, it requires the nominalizer 「の」 (e.g., Vるのにつき, いadj のにつき, なadj なのにつき), though this usage is less common than with nouns.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The pronunciation is straightforward: に (ni) sounds like “nee” in knee, and つき (tsuki) sounds like “tski” as in “tsunami”. Ensure a smooth connection to the preceding noun.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of signs you often see in public places like stations, shops, or offices. 「工事につき、通行止め」 (Due to construction, no passing) or 「本日休業につき」 (Closed today due to…). This visual association can help reinforce its formal and public-announcement nature.

Vocabulary List
システムメンテナンス
shisutemu mantenansu
system maintenance
一時停止
ichiji teishi
temporary suspension/stop
悪天候
akutenkō
bad weather
中止
chūshi
cancellation
駐車場
chūshajō
parking lot
貴重品
kichōhin
valuable item
取り扱い
handling
Kanji List
本
ほん
book, this, main
日
ひ
day, sun
悪
あく
bad, evil
天
てん
heaven, sky
候
こう
weather, climate
中
ちゅう
middle, inside
止
し
stop
車
くるま
car
一台
いちだい
one (counter for machines)
円
えん
yen
貴重
きちょう
valuable
Practice Exercises
工事______、この道は通行止めです。
A. につき
B. なので
C. だから
D. ということで
大変人気商品______、お一人様一個までとさせていただきます。
A. なので
B. につき
C. としては
D. によって
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