につけ (nitsuke)

Meaning & usage

につけ attaches to a dictionary-form verb and means that every time the action happens, a certain feeling or thought naturally arises. It often appears with emotional expressions like 思い出す or 胸が痛む, and can follow two verbs to mean "as I do X and Y," as in the pianist example. The tone is somewhat written and reflective.

Example sentences 4

1. 母ははの作つくった味噌汁みそしるを食たべるにつけ、故郷こきょうの台所だいどころを思おもい出だす。

   Every time I eat my mother's miso soup, I think back to the kitchen back home.

2. あの曲を聴くにつけ、初めてのコンサートのことが胸に浮かぶ。

   Whenever I hear that song, my first concert comes to mind.

3. 彼の頑張る姿を見るにつけ、私ももう少し努力しようと思う。

   Each time I see him working hard, I feel I should try a little harder myself.

4. 日記を読み返すにつけ、あの頃の自分の未熟さが恥ずかしい。

   Every time I reread my diary, I feel embarrassed by how immature I was back then.