GRAMMAR DETAIL
～ずつ
Follows a quantity or degree to show equal distribution or a change proceeding by a fixed amount at a time.
Examples
参加者に資料を一枚ずつ配りました。
I handed out one document to each participant.
Words used
毎日少しずつ庭の草を抜いています。
I pull weeds from the garden a little at a time every day.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: A quantity or degree expression takes
ずつ. - Basic usage:
参加者に資料を一枚ずつ配りました。describes handing out one document per participant.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Each person's share and the amount per action
一人に二枚ずつ渡すgives each person's share, while二枚ずつ運ぶcan give the amount carried at a time. Context identifies the unit of distribution.
- Gradual change
少しずつ進むdescribes progress in small amounts. The size of少しdepends on context rather than a fixed numerical quantity.