つい

つい
adverb
unintentionally, just (now), inadvertently
1. unintentionally, inadvertently, carelessly
Doing something without thinking; an action done despite not intending to.
つい笑(わら)ってしまった。
I couldn't help laughing.
つい食(た)べ過(す)ぎてしまった。
I accidentally ate too much.
つい本音(ほんね)を言(い)ってしまった。
I inadvertently spoke my true feelings.
仕事(しごと)中(ちゅう)についスマホを見(み)てしまうことがある。
I sometimes find myself looking at my phone during work.
やめようと思(おも)っているのに、つい夜更(よふ)かしをしてしまう。
Even though I intend to stop, I can't help staying up late.
つい〜てしまう pattern emphasizes lack of self-control
2. just (now), a moment ago
Something that happened very recently.
ついさっき来(き)たよ。
They just came a moment ago.
つい先(さき)ほど届(とど)きました。
It arrived just a moment ago.
ついこの前(まえ)会(あ)ったばかりなのに、もう懐(なつ)かしい。
We just met the other day, but I already feel nostalgic.
つい最近(さいきん)この町(まち)に引(ひ)っ越(こ)してきたので、近(ちか)くのお店(みせ)をまだよく知(し)らない。
I just recently moved to this town, so I don't know the nearby shops well yet.
つい先日(せんじつ)日本(にほん)に来(き)たばかりだと思(おも)っていたのに、もう3年(ねん)も経(た)っていて驚(おどろ)いた。
I thought I had just come to Japan, but I was surprised that three years had already passed.

つい expresses actions done without intending to, often with a nuance of regret or lack of self-control.

POSITION:

  • Usually appears at the beginning of a clause, before the verb

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • つい〜てしまう (end up doing ~ unintentionally)
  • つい先(さき)ほど (just a moment ago)
  • つい最近(さいきん) (just recently)

NUANCE:

  • Implies the action was not fully intentional
  • Often paired with てしまう to emphasize accidental nature
  • Can express mild regret or excuse

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • うっかり: carelessly, by mistake (more accidental)
  • 思(おも)わず: involuntarily, without thinking (physical reflex)

Related Words

Contrast: 思(おも)わず (involuntarily)
Contrast: うっかり (carelessly (lapse))
core
Added 2026.1.11 19:56 · Revised 2026.4.2 15:19
02500/02564_tsui