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B1 adverb 10 دقيقة للقراءة

つい

tsui

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح つい في 30 ثانية

الشرح つい in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'tsui' as a word that means 'oops' or 'by mistake.' You will mostly see it in very simple sentences about eating or buying things. For example, 'I accidentally ate the cake.' Even at this early stage, it is good to remember that 'tsui' usually goes with the '-te shimau' verb form, which you will learn as you progress. Just remember: tsui = I didn't mean to do it, but I did it anyway because I wanted to!

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you start to see 'tsui' used to describe daily habits that you are trying to change. You might use it to talk about staying up late or checking your phone too much. It becomes a useful word for making your Japanese sound more natural when talking about your personality or your day. You'll also encounter 'tsui saki' which means 'just a moment ago.' This is very common in simple conversations to explain why someone isn't there or why a task was just finished.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you should master the nuance of 'tsui' as an expression of impulse. You will need to distinguish it from 'ukkari' (carelessness) and 'omowazu' (reflex). B1 learners use 'tsui' to describe social situations, like letting a secret slip or laughing at an inappropriate moment. You should be comfortable using the 'tsui... -te shimatta' pattern to express minor regret or to explain the reason behind a small mistake in a relatable way.

At the B2 level, you can use 'tsui' to add flavor to your storytelling and descriptions. You might use it in a more abstract way, such as 'tsui te ga nobiru' (unintentionally reaching out) to describe an attractive product or idea. You understand that 'tsui' can also imply a sense of 'recently' that is subjective—it highlights that the speaker feels the time passed was very short. You are also aware of how 'tsui' is used in advertising and media to target human impulses.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you recognize the psychological depth 'tsui' adds to literature and formal discourse. You can identify when a speaker uses 'tsui' to subtly shift blame or to present themselves as more human and fallible. You understand its role in 'confessional' rhetoric and can use it yourself to navigate complex social interactions where admitting to a small impulse is better than appearing cold or overly calculated. You also know the more formal alternatives and when to avoid 'tsui' to maintain a high level of professionalism.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you have a complete grasp of the 'tsui' spectrum, from its humble origins to its modern rhetorical uses. You can analyze how 'tsui' functions in classical-style modern prose or in highly nuanced diplomatic speech where every word counts. You understand the historical development of the word and how its dual meanings of 'impulse' and 'recentness' might be related through the concept of 'immediacy.' You can use it with perfect precision to convey the most subtle lapses in human willpower or the most fleeting moments of time.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

つい في 30 ثانية

Tsui describes doing something unintentionally due to impulse or habit.
It is usually used for small mistakes or lapses in self-discipline.
It is almost always paired with the verb form '-te shimau'.
It can also mean 'just now' or 'recently' in temporal contexts.

The Japanese adverb つい (tsui) is one of those incredibly versatile words that captures a very specific human experience: the moment our impulses override our intentions. In English, we often translate this as 'unintentionally,' 'involuntarily,' or 'just.' However, these translations often fail to capture the lighthearted sense of self-reproach or the admission of a minor weakness that tsui conveys. It suggests a lack of self-control in the face of temptation or habit. When you use tsui, you are essentially saying, 'I knew I shouldn't have, or I didn't mean to, but my body/mind just went ahead and did it anyway.'

The Core Essence: At its heart, tsui represents a lapse in willpower. It is most frequently used when talking about habits, small mistakes, or emotional reactions that occur before you have time to process them. It is the 'oops' factor of the Japanese language.
The Temporal Aspect: While primarily an adverb of manner (unintentionally), tsui also has a temporal meaning indicating that something happened 'just now' or 'recently' (often seen in phrases like ついさっき). This dual nature makes it a high-frequency word in daily life.

ダイエット中なのに、ついケーキを食べてしまった。
Even though I'm on a diet, I unintentionally ended up eating cake.

Imagine you are walking past a bakery. You smell the fresh bread. You aren't hungry, and you promised yourself you wouldn't spend money, but before you know it, you are at the counter with a croissant. That 'before you know it' feeling is exactly what tsui describes. It is the bridge between a stimulus and an automated response that you later reflect on with a slight sense of regret or amusement.

面白くて、つい夜更かししてしまった。
It was so interesting that I unintentionally stayed up late.

In professional settings, tsui might be used to explain a minor oversight, though it carries a slightly casual nuance. In personal relationships, it is the bread and butter of apologies for small things, like forgetting to call or eating the last piece of chocolate in the fridge. It humanizes the speaker by admitting to the common human experience of being driven by impulse rather than cold logic.

秘密だったのに、つい口を滑らせてしまった。
Even though it was a secret, I unintentionally let it slip.

To master tsui, one must understand that it is rarely used for major, catastrophic failures. You wouldn't say you 'tsui' crashed a car into a building unless you were trying to be incredibly flippant. It is reserved for the 'soft' errors of life—the things we do because we are tired, hungry, excited, or simply human.

Grammatically, つい (tsui) is an adverb, meaning its primary job is to modify verbs. However, its usage is almost inextricably linked with the auxiliary verb form 〜てしまう (-te shimau). This combination is the 'gold standard' for expressing unintentional actions in Japanese.

The -te shimau Connection: Because tsui describes an action done without full intent, and -te shimau expresses completion often accompanied by regret or lack of control, they fit together like a lock and key. Using them together emphasizes that the action was a mistake or an impulse that has already been completed.

スマホをつい見てしまう。
I find myself unintentionally looking at my phone (habitually).

Notice that in the example above, -te shimau is in the present tense (shimau), which indicates a recurring habit. If it were past tense (shimatta), it would refer to a specific one-time event. Tsui works perfectly in both scenarios. It can describe a chronic weakness or a sudden lapse.

Another common pattern is つい＋[Verb in potential form]. This is often used when you couldn't help but do something. For example, 'I couldn't help but laugh' (tsui waratte shimatta). Here, the impulse was so strong that the speaker's internal 'brakes' failed entirely.

Usage with Negatives: Interestingly, tsui is rarely used with negative verbs unless you are describing the failure to do something you intended. For example: tsui wasureta (I unintentionally forgot). You wouldn't usually say 'I unintentionally didn't eat,' as that lacks the impulsive drive tsui implies.

疲れていると、つい甘いものが欲しくなる。
When I'm tired, I unintentionally start wanting sweet things.

When using tsui to mean 'recently,' it is often paired with temporal nouns. Tsui kono aida (just the other day) or tsui sakihodo (just a moment ago). In these cases, it serves to emphasize the proximity of the event to the current moment, suggesting that the memory is still fresh or that the time passed was surprisingly short.

ついさっきまでここにいたのに。
They were here just a moment ago...

In summary, if you are doing something because of a habit, a sudden urge, or a momentary lack of focus, tsui is your go-to word. Just remember to pair it with -te shimau for the most natural, native-sounding Japanese.

If you spend any time in Japan or watching Japanese media, you will hear つい (tsui) constantly. It is a staple of 'confessional' style talk—where people share their small failures or relatable habits. It's the language of variety shows, vlogs, and casual office chatter.

In Daily Conversation: Friends often use tsui when gossiping or sharing stories. 'I unintentionally bought it because it was on sale' (tsui kattachatta) is a sentence heard in almost every shopping mall in Tokyo. It acts as a social lubricant, making the speaker seem less perfect and more approachable.

「またお菓子食べてるの？」「あ、つい...」
'Are you eating sweets again?' 'Ah, I just... (unintentionally did it).'

In the workplace, tsui is used to soften the blow when explaining a minor error to a colleague. It suggests that the error wasn't malicious or due to gross incompetence, but rather a simple human slip-up. 'I unintentionally forgot to CC you' (tsui CC wo ire-wasurete shimatta). However, be careful using it with a strict boss, as it might sound like you are making excuses for a lack of focus.

You will also see tsui in advertising. Marketers know that people are impulsive. An ad for a delicious-looking donut might say tsui te ga nobiru oishisa (A deliciousness that makes your hand unintentionally reach out). This uses the psychology of the word to suggest that the product is so good, your body will want it before your brain can say no.

SNSをついチェックしてしまう習慣を直したい。
I want to fix the habit of unintentionally checking social media.

In anime and drama, tsui is often used in romantic contexts. A character might say, 'I unintentionally stared at you' (tsui mitsumete shimatta), or 'I unintentionally got jealous' (tsui yakimochi wo yaite shimatta). In these cases, it highlights the character's true feelings leaking out despite their attempt to hide them. It's a powerful tool for showing, rather than just telling, emotion.

その話を聞いて、ついカッとなってしまった。
Hearing that story, I unintentionally lost my temper.

Ultimately, tsui is everywhere because the experience of doing things we didn't quite plan to do is universal. Whether it's eating, spending, speaking, or feeling, tsui captures the messy, impulsive reality of being alive.

While つい (tsui) is a relatively simple word, its proximity to other adverbs of 'accident' or 'unintentionality' can lead to confusion. Understanding the subtle boundaries between tsui and its cousins is key to sounding natural.

Mistake 1: Confusing tsui with ukkari (うっかり): Tsui is about impulse (doing something because you wanted to or it's a habit), whereas ukkari is about carelessness (forgetting something or making a mistake because you weren't paying attention). If you eat a cookie because it looks good, use tsui. If you forget your keys, use ukkari.

❌ つい傘を電車に忘れた。
✅ うっかり傘を電車に忘れた。
You don't 'impulsively' forget an umbrella; you carelessly forget it.

Another mistake is overusing tsui in formal situations. While it's fine for small talk with coworkers, using it in a formal apology to a client can make you sound like you lack professional control. If you say you 'tsui' missed a deadline, it sounds like you just didn't feel like doing it, which is much worse than saying you had a technical issue.

Mistake 2: Using it for intentional actions: Sometimes learners use tsui when they actually made a conscious decision. If you thought about it for ten minutes and then decided to buy the shoes, it's not tsui. Tsui implies the action happened almost before you could think about it.

❌ １時間考えて、つい新しい車を買った。
✅ １時間考えて、新しい車を買うことにした。
You can't 'unintentionally' buy a car after thinking for an hour.

Finally, be careful with the 'recently' meaning of tsui. It only refers to a very short time ago (minutes, hours, or a few days). You cannot use tsui to talk about something that happened three years ago, even if it feels like 'just yesterday' to you emotionally. For that, you would use maru de kinou no koto no you ni (as if it were yesterday).

By avoiding these pitfalls, you can ensure that your use of tsui adds the perfect touch of human nuance to your Japanese, rather than creating confusion.

To truly master the nuance of つい (tsui), it helps to compare it with other Japanese adverbs that describe actions happening without full deliberation. Each of these has a specific 'flavor' of unintentionality.

つい (Tsui) vs. 思わず (Omowazu): Omowazu literally means 'without thinking.' It is used for reflexive actions or immediate emotional responses, like jumping when startled or crying at a movie. Tsui is more about impulse or habit. You omowazu shout when you see a spider; you tsui eat a second donut.
つい (Tsui) vs. うっかり (Ukkari): As mentioned in the common mistakes section, ukkari is about carelessness. It’s the word for 'I forgot' or 'I made a typo.' Tsui is the word for 'I did it even though I shouldn't have.'
つい (Tsui) vs. ふと (Futo): Futo describes a sudden thought or realization that pops into your head out of nowhere. 'I suddenly (futo) remembered my hometown.' Tsui is about an action, whereas futo is often about a mental state or a sudden change in focus.

Comparison Summary:
• つい: Impulse/Habit (The 'I couldn't help it' word)
• 思わず: Reflex (The 'Spontaneous' word)
• うっかり: Error (The 'Careless' word)
• ふと: Randomness (The 'Out of the blue' word)

There is also the term 知らず知らず (shirazu-shirazu), which means 'unconsciously' or 'without realizing it.' This is used for gradual processes. For example, 'Without realizing it, I had fallen asleep.' Tsui is more immediate and usually involves a specific action you can point to.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might see 図らずも (hakarazu-mo). This is a very stiff way of saying 'unexpectedly' or 'not as planned.' You would use this in a written report or a formal speech, whereas tsui is strictly for the realm of human behavior and daily life.

By choosing the right word from this set, you can communicate exactly why something happened unintentionally. Is it because you were impulsive (tsui), startled (omowazu), clumsy (ukkari), or just daydreaming (futo)? The precision of Japanese adverbs allows you to paint a very clear picture of your internal state.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

Despite being such a common word, 'tsui' is almost always written in hiragana. Writing it in kanji (like 遂) is very rare in modern Japanese and usually looks overly academic or archaic.

دليل النطق

UK /tsuːi/

US /tsuːi/

Pitch accent is usually Low-High (tsu-I).

يتقافى مع

Rui (類) Sui (水) Fui (不意) Kui (悔い) Mui (無為) Yui (結い) Ai (愛) - slant rhyme Kai (会) - slant rhyme

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'tsu' as 'su' (missing the 't' sound).
Making the 'i' too long, sounding like 'tsuiii'.
Confusing it with 'tsui' meaning 'a pair' (different kanji/context).
Stressing the first syllable instead of the second.
Blending it into the next word too quickly without a slight pause.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 2/5

Easy to read as it is almost always in hiragana.

الكتابة 3/5

Simple to write, but remember the context of -te shimau.

التحدث 4/5

Requires natural intonation and proper pairing with verbs.

الاستماع 3/5

Must distinguish from other 'accident' adverbs.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

食べる (taberu) 買う (kau) 忘れる (wasureru) ～てしまう (-te shimau) 最近 (saikin)

تعلّم لاحقاً

うっかり (ukkari) 思わず (omowazu) ふと (futo) わざと (wazato) 思わず (omowazu)

متقدم

知らず知らず (shirazu-shirazu) 図らずも (hakarazu-mo) 出来心 (dekigokoro) 魔が差す (ma ga sasu)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

～てしまう (-te shimau)

食べてしまいました。

～てしまう (chatt/jatt casual)

食べちゃった。

Potential form + shimau

笑えてしまう (can't help but laugh).

Temporal Nouns

つい先日のことだ。

Adverbial placement

つい、彼は言った。

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

つい、お菓子を食べました。

I accidentally (impulsively) ate the sweets.

Simple usage of tsui before a verb.

つい、テレビを見ました。

I ended up watching TV (without meaning to).

Shows the lack of intention.

つい、買いました。

I just bought it (impulsively).

Often used for small purchases.

ついさっき、友達が来ました。

A friend came just a moment ago.

Tsui used as 'recently'.

つい、寝てしまいました。

I unintentionally fell asleep.

Introduction to -te shimau.

つい、笑いました。

I unintentionally laughed.

Simple emotional reaction.

つい、忘れました。

I unintentionally forgot.

Common daily phrase.

つい、飲みました。

I unintentionally drank it.

Simple past tense.

ダイエット中ですが、ついチョコを食べてしまいます。

I'm on a diet, but I find myself eating chocolate.

Habitual usage with -te shimau.

ついさっきまで、ここにありました。

It was here until just a moment ago.

Tsui sakihodo variant.

夜、ついスマホを見てしまいます。

At night, I unintentionally end up looking at my phone.

Common modern habit.

安かったので、つい買ってしまいました。

It was cheap, so I unintentionally bought it.

Explaining a reason for impulse.

つい、うそをついてしまいました。

I unintentionally told a lie.

Social mistake.

面白かったので、つい全部読みました。

It was interesting, so I unintentionally read the whole thing.

Positive impulse.

つい、大きな声を出してしまいました。

I unintentionally raised my voice.

Sudden action.

つい、昨日会ったばかりです。

I just met them yesterday (it feels very recent).

Emphasis on recentness.

秘密だと言われたのに、つい友達に話してしまった。

Even though I was told it's a secret, I unintentionally told my friend.

B1 level social complexity.

彼の話があまりにおかしくて、つい吹き出してしまった。

His story was so funny that I unintentionally burst out laughing.

Using 'fukidasu' (to burst out).

疲れていると、つい周りの人に冷たく当たってしまう。

When I'm tired, I unintentionally end up being cold to people around me.

Reflecting on personality/mood.

ついこの間まで夏だったのに、もう冬のようだ。

It was summer just the other day, but it already feels like winter.

Tsui kono aida (just the other day).

忙しいと、つい食事がおろそかになってしまう。

When I'm busy, I unintentionally neglect my meals.

Abstract concept: neglect.

ついカッとなって、ひどいことを言ってしまった。

I unintentionally lost my temper and said something terrible.

Idiom: 'ka-to naru' (to lose one's cool).

その靴があまりに素敵で、つい見とれてしまった。

Those shoes were so wonderful that I unintentionally got fascinated by them.

Verb: 'mitoreru' (to be fascinated).

メールの返信を、つい後回しにしてしまった。

I unintentionally put off replying to the email.

Verb: 'atomawashi ni suru' (to postpone).

長年の習慣で、つい右側を歩いてしまう。

Due to years of habit, I unintentionally walk on the right side.

Describing deep-seated habits.

つい先日お会いしたばかりだと思っていましたが、もう一ヶ月ですね。

I thought I had just met you the other day, but it's already been a month.

Tsui senjitsu (just the other day - polite).

魅力的なキャッチコピーに、つい手が伸びてしまった。

I unintentionally reached out for it because of the attractive catchphrase.

Metaphorical 'reaching out'.

相手が困っているのを見ると、つい手を貸したくなる。

When I see someone in trouble, I unintentionally want to lend a hand.

Describing an innate urge.

つい口を滑らせて、サプライズの内容をバラしてしまった。

I unintentionally let it slip and spoiled the surprise content.

Idiom: 'kuchi wo suberaseru' (slip of the tongue).

考え事をしていると、つい時間を忘れてしまう。

When I'm lost in thought, I unintentionally lose track of time.

Abstract: forgetting time.

つい、懐かしさのあまり涙がこぼれた。

Unintentionally, out of pure nostalgia, tears fell.

Emotional intensity.

慣れない土地では、つい緊張して言葉が少なくなってしまう。

In an unfamiliar place, I unintentionally get nervous and become quiet.

Psychological state.

人間の心理として、禁止されるとついやってみたくなるものだ。

As a matter of human psychology, when something is forbidden, one unintentionally wants to try it.

Generalized psychological statement.

ついさっきまで元気だった彼が、急に倒れるなんて信じられない。

I can't believe that he, who was fine just a moment ago, suddenly collapsed.

Contrast between 'tsui sakihodo' and a sudden event.

政治家が不用意な発言で、つい本音を漏らしてしまう場面をよく目にする。

We often see scenes where politicians unintentionally leak their true feelings through careless remarks.

Formal/News context.

あまりの美しさに、つい言葉を失って立ち尽くしてしまった。

I was so overwhelmed by the beauty that I unintentionally lost my words and stood there petrified.

Literary description of awe.

つい誘惑に負けて、夜食のラーメンを食べてしまった自分を責めた。

I blamed myself for unintentionally giving in to temptation and eating late-night ramen.

Reflective/Introspective tone.

親は子供のためを思うあまり、つい過保護になってしまいがちだ。

Parents, in their excessive concern for their children, unintentionally tend to become overprotective.

Social observation using 'gachi' (tendency).

つい、うっかりでは済まされない重大なミスを犯してしまった。

I committed a serious mistake that cannot be dismissed as just an 'unintentional' or 'careless' error.

Distinguishing between levels of error.

忙殺される日々の中で、つい大切なことを見失っていたようだ。

In the days of being swamped with work, I seem to have unintentionally lost sight of what's important.

Metaphorical/Philosophical.

つい、出来心でやってしまったという弁明は、法廷では通用しない。

The defense that one did it 'unintentionally, on a whim' does not hold up in court.

Legal/Formal context.

彼の文章には、隠そうとしてもつい滲み出てしまう気品がある。

In his writing, there is an elegance that unintentionally seeps through even if he tries to hide it.

Subtle literary nuance: 'nijimideryu' (to seep out).

近代化の波の中で、我々はつい古き良き伝統を軽視しがちである。

In the wave of modernization, we unintentionally tend to underestimate good old traditions.

Societal critique.

つい、魔が差したとしか言いようのない不可解な行動だった。

It was an incomprehensible action that can only be described as 'the devil must have gotten into me' (unintentional lapse).

Idiom: 'ma ga sasu' (to be possessed by an evil whim).

その旋律を聴くと、つい遠い故郷の情景が脳裏をよぎる。

When I hear that melody, scenes of my distant hometown unintentionally cross my mind.

Poetic/Evocative.

専門家であっても、慣れからつい基本を疎かにしてしまう危険性がある。

Even for experts, there is a danger of unintentionally neglecting the basics due to over-familiarity.

Professional hazard analysis.

つい、感情が理性を上回ってしまった瞬間の記憶は、今も鮮明だ。

The memory of the moment when emotion unintentionally overrode reason remains vivid even now.

Psychological/Philosophical.

歴史を振り返れば、人間はつい同じ過ちを繰り返してしまう生き物だと分かる。

Looking back at history, we see that humans are creatures who unintentionally repeat the same mistakes.

Existential observation.

تلازمات شائعة

つい食べてしまう

つい忘れてしまう

つい笑ってしまう

ついさっき

つい先日

つい手が伸びる

つい口を滑らせる

つい長電話する

つい夜更かしする

ついカッとなる

العبارات الشائعة

ついうっかり

— A combination showing both impulse and carelessness. Very common in apologies.

ついうっかり、約束を忘れていました。

ついこの間

— Meaning 'just the other day.' Used for events that feel very recent.

ついこの間、彼に会ったばかりだ。

ついでの時に

— Note: This is 'tsuide' (opportunity), not 'tsui' (unintentional), but often confused.

ついでの時に、これもお願い。

ついふらふらと

— Doing something aimlessly or being led by a sudden whim.

ついふらふらとお店に入ってしまった。

つい出来心で

— Doing something on a sudden, often bad, impulse.

つい出来心で、万引きをしてしまった。

つい知らぬ間に

— Before one knows it; without realizing.

つい知らぬ間に、時間が過ぎていた。

つい本音が...

— When one's true feelings accidentally come out.

お酒を飲んで、つい本音が出てしまった。

つい夢中になって

— Becoming so absorbed that one loses track of intentions.

つい夢中になって、掃除を続けた。

つい甘えてしまう

— Unintentionally depending on someone's kindness.

優しい彼につい甘えてしまう。

つい見とれる

— To be unintentionally captivated by something's beauty.

夜景の美しさについ見とれた。

يُخلط عادةً مع

つい vs ついに (tsui-ni)

Means 'finally' or 'at last.' It implies a long process reaching an end, whereas 'tsui' is an immediate impulse.

つい vs ついで (tsuide)

Means 'opportunity' or 'while you're at it.' It's about efficiency, not unintentionality.

つい vs つい (tsui - counter/noun)

Means 'a pair' (e.g., a pair of vases). Distinguished by kanji (対) and context.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"つい口を滑らせる"

— To unintentionally say something you shouldn't have; a slip of the tongue.

つい口を滑らせて、彼女の秘密を話してしまった。

Neutral

"つい手が伸びる"

— To find oneself reaching for something impulsively (usually food or products).

そのお菓子は、つい手が伸びる美味しさだ。

Neutral

"ついカッとなる"

— To lose one's temper suddenly and unintentionally.

若さゆえ、ついカッとなってしまった。

Neutral/Informal

"つい魔が差す"

— To be possessed by a sudden evil or foolish impulse.

つい魔が差して、嘘をついてしまった。

Neutral

"つい見入る"

— To gaze at something so intently that you forget what you are doing.

職人の技につい見入ってしまった。

Neutral

"つい聞き惚れる"

— To be unintentionally charmed or captivated by a sound or voice.

彼女の歌声につい聞き惚れてしまった。

Neutral

"つい時間を忘れる"

— To lose track of time because one is absorbed in something.

読書につい時間を忘れてしまった。

Neutral

"ついおろそかになる"

— To unintentionally neglect a duty because of distraction.

遊びに夢中で、勉強がついおろそかになった。

Neutral

"つい出来心"

— A sudden, passing impulse (often used to explain a minor crime or mistake).

つい出来心でやってしまいました。

Neutral

"つい足が向く"

— To find oneself walking towards a place habitually or impulsively.

仕事帰りに、つい行きつけの店に足が向く。

Neutral

سهل الخلط

つい vs うっかり (ukkari)

Both involve doing something you didn't mean to.

Ukkari is for mistakes due to lack of focus (forgetting keys). Tsui is for impulses (eating cake).

うっかり鍵を忘れた。ついケーキを食べた。

つい vs 思わず (omowazu)

Both describe actions without thought.

Omowazu is a reflexive response to a stimulus (jumping at a sound). Tsui is an internal impulse or habit.

思わず叫んだ。つい夜更かしした。

つい vs ふと (futo)

Both describe suddenness.

Futo is a sudden thought or change in focus. Tsui is a sudden action or impulse.

ふと思い出した。つい買ってしまった。

つい vs なんとなく (nantonaku)

Both involve lack of a strong plan.

Nantonaku is 'for no clear reason.' Tsui is 'I couldn't help it.'

なんとなく来た。つい来てしまった。

つい vs わざと (wazato)

It is the direct opposite.

Wazato is intentional (often malicious). Tsui is unintentional.

わざと壊した。つい壊してしまった。

أنماط الجُمل

つい + Verb-mashita

つい食べました。

つい + Verb-te shimaimashita

つい食べてしまいました。

Reason + node, tsui + Verb-te shimau

安いので、つい買ってしまいます。

Tsui + time noun + no koto da

つい先日のことだ。

Tsui + Verb-potential-te shimau

つい見とれてしまう。

Tsui + ma ga sasu

つい魔が差してしまった。

Habit + de, tsui + Verb

習慣で、つい右を見る。

Tsui + sakki

ついさっき来た。

عائلة الكلمة

مرتبط

ついで (tsuide) - opportunity

ついさっき (tsui sakki) - just now

ついこの間 (tsui kono aida) - just the other day

対 (tsui) - a pair

終いに (shimai ni) - in the end

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely high in daily spoken Japanese.

أخطاء شائعة

Using 'tsui' for forgetting keys. → ukkari kagi wo wasureta.
Forgetting is a lack of attention (ukkari), not an impulse (tsui).
Using 'tsui' for a planned vacation. → Kyoka wo totte ryokou ni itta.
You can't 'unintentionally' go on a trip that requires booking and planning.
Writing 'tsui' as '対'. → つい
'対' means 'pair' or 'against.' The adverb 'tsui' should be hiragana.
Using 'tsui' to mean 'finally'. → tsui-ni
'Tsui-ni' is for long-awaited results. 'Tsui' is for immediate impulses.
Omitting '-te shimau' in formal apologies. → Tsui wasurete shimaimashita.
Just saying 'tsui wasuremashita' sounds slightly abrupt and less natural.

نصائح

Pair with -te shimau

Always try to pair 'tsui' with the '-te shimau' form to sound like a native speaker. It completes the 'unintentional' nuance perfectly.

Impulse vs. Error

Use 'tsui' for things your heart/body wanted to do (impulse). Use 'ukkari' for things your brain forgot to do (error).

Tsui-tsui

Use 'tsui-tsui' when you want to complain about a habit you just can't quit, like snacking or scrolling social media.

The 'Oops' Face

When saying 'tsui' in person, a small tilt of the head or a sheepish grin helps convey the 'unintentional' meaning.

Temporal Tsui

Remember that 'tsui' + [Time Word] means 'just recently.' It's a great way to start a story about something that happened today.

Softening Blows

Use 'tsui' to make your apologies sound less robotic. It shows you're human and that you didn't mean any harm.

Catch the 'i'

In casual speech, people often stretch the 'i' sound (tsuiii) to show how much they couldn't help themselves.

Hiragana Only

Stick to hiragana for 'tsui.' Using kanji will make you look like a 19th-century poet, which might not be the vibe you want!

Relatability

Sharing a 'tsui' story is a great way to bond with Japanese friends. Everyone has things they 'tsui' do!

Not for Intentions

Never use 'tsui' if you carefully planned the action. It's only for the things that 'just happened' because of an urge.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'tsui' as 'Two-I': Impulse and Immediate. It covers things you do on impulse and things that happened immediately recently.

ربط بصري

Imagine a hand reaching for a cookie (Impulse) and a clock showing 1 minute ago (Recent). Both represent 'tsui'.

Word Web

Impulse Recent Habit Oops Just now Unintentional Regret Spontaneous

تحدٍّ

Try to find three things you did today 'tsui' (unintentionally) and describe them using the '-te shimatta' form.

أصل الكلمة

The word 'tsui' is believed to have originated from the classical Japanese word 'tsui-ni' (finally/at last) or related stems indicating completion or proximity. Over time, it evolved to describe the 'immediacy' of an action, leading to its modern dual meanings of 'unintentional/impulsive' (happening immediately before thought) and 'recent' (happening immediately before now).

المعنى الأصلي: Proximity or completion.

Japonic

السياق الثقافي

Avoid using 'tsui' to excuse serious professional negligence or legal crimes; it sounds too lighthearted.

English speakers often use 'just' or 'accidentally,' but 'tsui' is more specific to the internal struggle of willpower.

Commonly used in 'J-Dramas' when a character confesses a secret. Frequent in 'Variety Shows' where guests admit to embarrassing habits. Used in famous songs to describe falling in love 'unintentionally'.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Dieting and Food

つい食べてしまう
つい手が伸びる
つい甘いものを...
つい食べ過ぎる

Shopping

つい買ってしまう
つい無駄遣いする
安くてつい...
ついポチる

Time and Habits

つい夜更かしする
ついスマホを見る
つい時間を忘れる
つい二度寝する

Social Blunders

つい口を滑らせる
つい言い過ぎる
つい嘘をつく
つい笑ってしまう

Recent Events

ついさっき
ついこの間
つい先日
つい昨日のこと

بدايات محادثة

"「ついついやってしまう悪い習慣はありますか？」 (Do you have any bad habits you do unintentionally?)"

"「ついさっき、何をしていましたか？」 (What were you doing just a moment ago?)"

"「安売りを見ると、つい買いたくなりませんか？」 (Don't you unintentionally want to buy things when you see a sale?)"

"「つい夜更かししてしまった時の対処法は？」 (How do you handle it when you unintentionally stay up late?)"

"「秘密を言いたい時、つい口が滑りそうになりませんか？」 (When you want to tell a secret, don't you unintentionally almost let it slip?)"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

今日、ついやってしまった失敗について書いてください。 (Write about a mistake you unintentionally made today.)

あなたが「つい手が伸びてしまう」大好きな食べ物は何ですか？ (What is your favorite food that you reach for unintentionally?)

つい最近、一番嬉しかった出来事は何ですか？ (What is the happiest thing that happened very recently?)

自分がつい甘えてしまう相手は誰ですか？なぜですか？ (Who is the person you unintentionally depend on? Why?)

将来のために、ついやってしまう悪い癖をどう直したいですか？ (How do you want to fix the bad habits you do unintentionally for your future?)

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Yes, but it's less common. Using it alone often sounds like you are trailing off or making a very brief admission. For a complete sentence, '-te shimau' is usually expected.

It's better to use more formal language like 'fuchuui' (carelessness) or 'itashikata naku' (unavoidably) if the mistake is serious. 'Tsui' can sound a bit too casual or like you're making excuses for a lack of willpower.

'Tsui sakki' emphasizes that it was *very* recently—just a few moments ago. 'Sakki' is more general and could be an hour ago.

Yes! You can 'tsui' laugh at a joke or 'tsui' help someone because you are kind. It just means the action was spontaneous.

Not always, but it often involves a slight sense that you *should* have been doing something else or that you lost control for a moment.

Usually, you don't. It's almost always in hiragana. If you see '対', that's a different word meaning 'pair'.

Yes, 'tsui wasurete shimatta' is common, but it implies you were distracted by something else rather than just being a forgetful person.

Doubling the word ('tsui-tsui') emphasizes the repetitive or habitual nature of the impulse. 'I keep doing it over and over!'

Yes, it is classified as an adverb (fukushi) in Japanese grammar.

No, it's usually paired with specific time words like 'senjitsu' (the other day) or 'sakki' (just now) to mean 'recent'.

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات