～つい
tsui
Unintentionally; before one can stop oneself
Formation 接続
つい + V; often つい + Vてしまう
Explanation 説明
Describes an unplanned or impulsive action, often followed by regret. The person acts through habit, distraction or temptation rather than a deliberate decision.
Examples 例文
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彼と話すのは楽しいので、つい長電話をしてしまう。今日も気づいたら2時間も話していた。
I enjoy talking to him, so I end up staying on the phone too long. Today, two hours had passed before I noticed.
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街で変な髪型の人がいたので、ついじっと見てしまった。
I saw someone with an unusual hairstyle in town and could not help staring.
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仕事で結果を出そうと思うと、いつもつい頑張りすぎてしまって、病気になってしまう。
Whenever I try to achieve results at work, I end up pushing myself too hard and getting sick.
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上司に怒られるのが怖かったので、つい嘘の報告をしてしまった。
I was afraid of my boss getting angry, so I ended up making a false report.
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今朝仕事で失敗をしたときに、ついウソをついてしまった。
I blurted out a lie when I made a mistake at work this morning.
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ダイエット中だが、チョコレートを見ると、つい食べてしまう。
I am on a diet, but whenever I see chocolate, I cannot help eating it.
How related patterns differ 比較
いつのまにか highlights a change whose timing went unnoticed. つつある describes an ongoing change, and うちに describes a change during a period. つい concerns an unintentional action, while たとたんに emphasizes a particular instant.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～つい | Unintentionally; before one can stop oneself | 彼と話すのは楽しいので、つい長電話をしてしまう。今日も気づいたら2時間も話していた。 I enjoy talking to him, so I end up staying on the phone too long. Today, two hours had passed before I noticed. |
| ～わざわざ | To go out of one's way to do something | わざわざ駅まで迎えに来てくれてありがとう。 Thank you for going out of your way to meet me at the station. |
| ～ず | Without doing; not doing | 辞書を使わずに、この文章を読みました。 I read this passage without using a dictionary. |
| ～どうしても | No matter what; by any means; simply cannot | どうしてもこの展覧会を見に行きたいです。 I really want to see this exhibition, no matter what. |
| ～うちに | While; before a situation changes; during which | 若いうちに、いろいろな国を見てみたいです。 I want to see various countries while I am young. |
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