You use this to say you are doing two things at the same time. It is a more formal way to say "while doing something."
Verb [stem] + つつPrimary
You use this to say you are doing two things at the same time. It is a more formal way to say "while doing something."
将来の計画を考えつつ、大学での勉強に励んでいる。
While thinking about future plans, I am working hard on my university studies.
体に悪いと知りつつ、ついタバコを吸ってしまった。
Even though I knew it was bad for my health, I ended up smoking a cigarette.
問題の重要性を認識しつつ、具体的な対策はまだ立てられていない。
While recognizing the importance of the problem, concrete countermeasures have not yet been established.
景気は緩やかに回復しつつあります。
The economy is in the process of gradually recovering.
彼は故郷を思いつつ、異国の地で筆を執った。
While thinking of his hometown, he took up his pen in a foreign land.
This is different from '〜ながら'. '〜つつ' is more formal. You use it in writing. You use it for thinking or knowing things. '〜ながら' is for daily talk. You use it for body actions. '〜つつ' can also mean 'even though'. It shows a strong contrast. '〜ながら' does not do this often.
Don't use this when different people do the actions. For example, you can't say "While I eat, he watches TV."
Use this when you want to say something is changing right now. It means something is happening little by little. You will see it in news or business reports.
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