つい (tsui)

Meaning & usage

つい is an adverb that shows an action happened unintentionally, because of impulse, surprise, or inattention. It is placed directly before a verb phrase, as in つい笑った or つい忘れた, and it most often appears with past tense verbs. It is common in everyday conversation and often carries a nuance of regret, so it pairs naturally with 〜てしまった.

Example sentences 8

1. つい笑わらってしまいました。

   I laughed without meaning to.

2. びっくりして、つい声を出した。

   I was surprised and cried out before I knew it.

3. 弟はついお菓子を食べた。

   My little brother ate the snacks without thinking.

4. 忙しくてつい約束を忘れた。

   I was busy and accidentally forgot the promise.

5. 父はついテレビを見すぎた。

   My father ended up watching too much TV.

6. 心配でつい電話をかけた。

   I was worried, so I called without thinking.

7. つい本音を言ってしまった。

   I said what I really felt by accident.

8. 安かったのでつい買いました。

   It was cheap, so I bought it without thinking.