つ

conjunction

(verb A) and (verb B) alternately; now doing A, now doing B

Used in the pattern 〜つ〜つ to express two contrasting or alternating actions happening repeatedly. Attaches to the continuative form (連用形) of verbs. Common in set phrases like 追いつ追われつ (chasing and being chased) and 浮きつ沈みつ (bobbing up and down).

See also: 浮きつ沈みつ · 追いつ追われつ

• 彼かれらは追おいつ追おわれつの接せっ戦せんを繰くり広ひろげた。

  They had a close contest, chasing and being chased by each other.

• 小こ舟ぶねが波なみに浮うきつ沈しずみつしていた。

  The small boat was bobbing up and down on the waves.

particle

possessive marker (archaic)

Archaic possessive particle, equivalent to modern の. Survives in place names (e.g., まつ (松) + つ + しま (島) → 松島) and in some compound words. Not used in modern speech.

• 「まつしま」の「つ」は古ふるい所しょ有ゆうの助じょ詞しで、現げん代だい語ごの「の」にあたる。

  The つ in まつしま (Matsushima) is an old possessive particle, equivalent to modern の.