につき

につき means due to; per; each. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to give a formal reason, rate, or unit basis.

This grammar point often appears in advanced reading, formal writing, notices, essays, and careful conversation. If you want to read Japanese with more nuance, につき is a useful pattern to learn because it shows the speaker’s logic, stance, or emphasis.

What does につき mean?

Use につき when you want to give a formal reason, rate, or unit basis.

Natural translations include:

• due to; per; each
• depending on context
• in a way that matches the speaker’s emphasis

The best translation depends on the sentence. Focus first on what relationship the pattern creates between the ideas.

How to form につき

Noun + につき

Examples of the pattern:

• 工事中につき
• 一人につき
• 本日は休業につき

In JLPT questions, pay close attention to the word immediately before the grammar point. Many wrong answers use a similar meaning but attach to the wrong form.

When is につき used?

Use につき in situations like:

• reading formal explanations, announcements, or essays
• making a point more precise than a basic grammar pattern would
• connecting two ideas with a clear nuance

Tone and register:

• usually neutral to formal
• common in JLPT N2 reading passages, news, notices, and business-like writing

につき example sentences

• 工事中につき、通行できません。 — Due to construction, passage is not possible.
• 一人につき、チケットは二枚までです。 — Up to two tickets per person.
• 本日は休業につき、明日ご連絡ください。 — We are closed today, so please contact us tomorrow.
• 一時間につき千円の料金がかかります。 — A fee of 1,000 yen per hour is charged.
• 雨天につき、試合は中止になりました。 — Due to rain, the game was canceled.

After reading each sentence, ask what job につき is doing. Is it limiting, adding, conceding, asserting, or describing a condition? That habit makes the nuance easier to remember than a single English translation.

Nuance of につき

The key nuance is give a formal reason, rate, or unit basis.

This matters because N2 grammar often overlaps with easier expressions. The advanced pattern usually adds formality, emphasis, restriction, or a stronger logical relationship.

For example:

• In formal writing, につき often sounds more precise than a casual equivalent.
• Compared with のため, it has a different tone or scope even when the English translation looks similar.

につき vs のため

Both につき and のため can express related ideas, but they are different.

につき:

• fits the N2 nuance explained above
• often sounds more specific, formal, or emphatic

のため:

• is usually broader, simpler, or used in a different register
• may be better in casual conversation depending on the sentence

Quick contrast examples:

• 工事中につき、通行できません。
• Try rewriting the sentence with のため and notice whether the tone or meaning changes.

Common mistakes with につき

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally and missing the function in context
• Confusing it with のため just because the English translation overlaps
• Using it in casual speech when a simpler pattern would sound more natural

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with につき, then compare it with a related grammar point. Explain the difference in your own words.

Is につき on the JLPT?

Yes. につき is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions usually test context, not dictionary translation alone.

Practice questions for につき

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence that clearly needs につき.
• Write a second sentence with のため and compare the nuance.
• Find a notice, article, or dialogue where this kind of meaning would be natural.

Learning path for につき

To learn につき efficiently, follow a path that matches this pattern’s real function.

1. First review the formation so the base structure feels natural.
2. Then compare につき with のため and the related lessons below. These recommendations are chosen from similar semantic or structural families.
3. Finally, write your own sentence where the context makes につき necessary.

Related grammar to review next

• に際して — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n3 tame ni — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n5 node — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register

Learn につき with Hane

If you want to review につき together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons