ずつ
also: づつ
Meanings
1
usually written using kana alone
Attaches to a quantity or number to indicate an equal distribution per person, item, or unit.
I gave two cookies to each person.
These notebooks are 100 yen each.
2
at a time; in portions
usually written using kana alone
Indicates doing something in repeated small amounts or stages, often with a sense of gradual progression.
My Japanese is getting better little by little.
I make it a rule to read three pages at a time every day.
Usage patterns
- 〈数〉ずつ〈動詞〉to do something in equal amounts of a given quantity each
I handed out the apples three at a time.
- 少しずつ〈動詞〉to do something little by little
My Japanese has been improving little by little.
- 一人ずつ〈動詞〉to do something one person at a time
Please call out the names one at a time.
- 毎日〈数〉ページずつ〈動詞〉to do a fixed small amount each day, building up gradually
I'm reading five pages of the book each day, bit by bit.