InitialJ
N2progressivegradual

～つつある (tsutsu aru) - Be in the process of

[Verb masu-stem] + つつある

Quick answer

[Verb masu-stem] + つつある means "Be in the process of / Be gradually doing". As a N2 grammar point, it is tested in the JLPT. Detailed examples and a usage explanation are on this page.

Meaning

Be in the process of / Be gradually doing

Explanation

Indicates a gradual change or progression.

Examples

環境問題は深刻化しつつある。
かんきょうもんだいはしんこくかしつつある。
Environmental problems are becoming more serious.
環—Ring境—Border題—Topic深—Deep化—Change
伝統文化が失われつつある。
でんとうぶんかがうしなわれつつある。
Traditional culture is gradually being lost.
伝—to transmit統—Overall化—Change

Practice this grammar

[Verb masu-stem] + つつある

Which sentence correctly uses "～つつある (tsutsu aru) - Be in the process of"?

Vocabulary from these examples

化ChangeN3境BorderN2統OverallN3伝to transmitN3環RingN1深DeepN3境Boundary題Topic

Last updated Jul 4, 2026