Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“As X happens, Y also happens” or “In proportion to X, Y changes”
🎯 Primary Function
To indicate that as one situation or condition changes (X), another situation or condition (Y) also changes or progresses simultaneously.
📋 Grammar Structure
Noun + につれて
Verb (dictionary form) + につれて
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Often used in slightly formal or objective descriptions of changes.
Informal Situations
Can be used but less common than in formal or written contexts.
Written Language
Frequently appears in written Japanese, such as news articles, academic papers, or descriptive texts.
Spoken Language
Used in spoken language, but may feel slightly more formal than casual conjunctions.
💡 Common Applications
Describing changes over time
Used to show how something changes as time passes or a process progresses.
Example: 時間が経つにつれて、不安が大きくなった。(Jikan ga tatsu ni tsurete, fuan ga ookiku natta.) – As time passed, my anxiety grew.
Describing changes in conditions
Used to show how one condition changes in relation to another changing condition (e.g., altitude and temperature).
Example: 山を登るにつれて、気温が下がってきた。(Yama o noboru ni tsurete, kion ga sagatte kita.) – As we climbed the mountain, the temperature dropped.
Describing skill or knowledge progression
Used to show how skill or understanding improves with practice or learning.
Example: 日本語を勉強するにつれて、面白くなってきた。(Nihongo o benkyou suru ni tsurete, omoshiroku natte kita.) – As I studied Japanese, it became more interesting.
Frequency
Moderately frequent in written and slightly formal spoken Japanese.
Difficulty
Intermediate (JLPT N3). The concept is straightforward, but distinguishing it from similar patterns requires practice.
Example Sentences
年を取るにつれて、体力が衰える。(Toshi o toru ni tsurete, tairyoku ga otorou.)
As you get older, your physical strength declines.
技術が進歩するにつれて、生活が便利になった。(Gijutsu ga shinpou suru ni tsurete, seikatsu ga benri ni natta.)
As technology advanced, life became more convenient.
試験が近づくにつれて、緊張が高まった。(Shiken ga chikazuku ni tsurete, kinchou ga takamatta.)
As the exam approached, my tension increased.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Expresses a gradual, proportional change.
に連れて emphasizes that the change in Y happens gradually as X progresses, not suddenly.
Example: 暖かくなるにつれて、雪が溶けた。(Atatakaku naru ni tsurete, yuki ga toketa.) – As it got warmer, the snow melted (implies gradual melting).
X and Y must be correlated.
There must be a direct relationship or connection between the change in X and the change in Y.
Example: 人口が増加するにつれて、交通量が増える。(Jinkou ga zouka suru ni tsurete, koutsuuryou ga fueru.) – As the population increases, traffic volume increases (directly correlated).
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it for unrelated events.
✅ Ensure the change in the first part (X) directly influences or correlates with the change in the second part (Y).
You cannot use につれて for two unrelated events happening simultaneously. X must cause or be linked to Y’s change.
❌ Using non-gradual changes.
✅ に連れて is best for gradual, continuous changes rather than sudden, one-time events.
Avoid using it for simple cause-and-effect without the sense of progression.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Generally neutral to slightly formal.
Social Situations: Appropriate in various situations when describing progressive changes.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese.
🔍 Subtle Differences
につれて vs. 〜とともに (to tomo ni)
とともに can mean “together with” (simultaneous action) or “as X changes, Y also changes” (similar to につれて).
When to use: に連れて more strongly implies a *proportional* or *consequent* change in Y following X’s progression. とともに can sometimes just indicate simultaneity without strong cause/effect, although it can also express correlation like につれて.
につれて vs. 〜にしたがって (ni shitagatte)
にしたがって also means “as X happens, Y happens” and is very similar to につれて. したって often implies following a rule, instruction, or a natural course.
When to use: They are often interchangeable for natural progressions (e.g., “as time passes”). にしたがって might be preferred when following a set path or rule, while につれて emphasizes the *accompanying* nature of the change.
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When to use: undefined
📝 Conjugation Notes
Attach directly to the dictionary form of verbs or directly to nouns. No particles or other forms are used before につれて.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced “ni tsurete”. The れ (re) is clearly pronounced, not a silent vowel sound.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of “連れて” (tsurete) meaning “to take along” or “accompany”. So, につれて means “accompanying the change in X, Y also changes”.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence: 子供は成長する（ ）につれて、親の手を離れていく。
が
を
に
へ
Which sentence correctly uses につれて?
雨が降るにつれて、傘をさした。(Ame ga furu ni tsurete, kasa o sashita.)
駅に着くにつれて、電車が出発した。(Eki ni tsuku ni tsurete, densha ga shuppatsu shita.)
勉強するにつれて、だんだん分からなくなった。(Benkyou suru ni tsurete, dandan wakaranaku natta.)
練習するにつれて、ピアノが上手になった。(Renshuu suru ni tsurete, piano ga jouzu ni natta.)
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