Have you ever noticed how some changes happen so gradually that you only realize them after they’ve been happening for a while?
Maybe the days are getting a little longer, the air is getting warmer, or your Japanese is improving without you even noticing.

In Japanese, when we want to describe something that’s in the process of changing or progressing right now, we use つつある (tsutsu aru).

It’s like saying “is in the process of ~” or “is gradually ~ing” in English.
For example, the economy might be improving, a typhoon might be approaching, or the season might be shifting, all in progress, not complete yet.

You’ll often hear つつある in news reports, essays, or formal writing, but it’s also a beautiful way to express ongoing change, those quiet, subtle moments when something is still unfolding.

Let’s take a closer look at how to use つつある, so you can describe those “in progress” moments in natural, elegant Japanese! ✨

ている (te iru) vs ながら (nagara) vs つつある (tsutsuaru)
These three expressions all relate to actions or states happening over time, but their nuance is quite different.

ている (te iru) shows that an action or state is continuing or already in progress. It’s the most common and neutral form, used in daily conversation.

雨が降っている。
あめ が ふって いる。
ame ga futte iru.
It’s raining (now).

ながら (nagara) means “while doing ~” and describes two actions happening at the same time.

音楽を聞きながら勉強します。
おんがく を きき ながら べんきょう します。
ongaku wo kiki nagara benkyou shimasu.
I study while listening to music.

つつある (tsutsuaru) focuses on gradual change or development in progress.
It emphasizes that something is currently shifting or evolving, it’s happening now, but not yet complete.

世界の気温は上昇しつつある。
せかい の きおん は じょうしょう しつつ ある。
sekai no kion ha joushou shitsutsu aru.
The world’s temperature is rising.

彼女の体調は回復しつつある。
かのじょ の たいちょう は かいふく しつつ ある。
kanojo no taichou ha kaifuku shitsutsu aru.
Her health is gradually recovering.

台風が近づきつつあります。
たいふう が ちかづきつつ あります。
taifuu ga chikazukitsutsu arimasu.
A typhoon is approaching.

日本の人口は年々減りつつある。
にほん の じんこう は ねんねん へりつつ ある。
nihon no jinkou ha nennen heritsutsu aru.
Japan’s population is decreasing year by year.

技術の進歩によって、社会は大きく変わりつつあります。
ぎじゅつ の しんぽ に よって、しゃかい は おおきく かわりつつ あります。
gijutsu no shinpo ni yotte, shakai ha ookiku kawaritsutsu arimasu.
With the advancement of technology, society is undergoing major changes.

取引先との交渉は進展しつつある。
とりひきさき と の こうしょう は しんてん しつつ ある。
torihikisaki to no koushou ha shinten shitsutsu aru.
Negotiations with our business partner are progressing.

• Grammar Point: つつある (tsutsuaru)
• JLPT Level: N2
• Meaning: To be in the process of, gradually ~ing
• Quick Explanation: Use つつある to describe something that is currently changing or progressing.It emphasizes that a process is still ongoing, not complete yet, but clearly moving forward.
  
  
  

So that’s how we use つつある!
It’s perfect for describing gradual changes, in nature, society, or even within yourself.

このブログを読んでいるあなたの日本語も、上達しつつあるでしょう！
この ぶろぐ を よんでいる あなた の にほんご も、じょうたつ しつつ ある でしょう！
kono burogu wo yondeiru anata no nihongo mo, joutatsu shitsutsu aru deshou!
Your Japanese is surely improving little by little as you read this blog!

Now it’s your turn! try making your own sentences with つつある and express the changes happening around (or within) you!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

Get Hikari's JLPT Mock Exams & Preparation Lessons!

Whether you are studying to pass the JLPT or looking for a challenge in your learning journey, these courses are perfect for you!