ずつ

Each, Apiece

Level 1Sounds Like zutsu

Use ずつ to say 'each' or 'at a time' when giving things out or doing something in equal steps. It attaches to numbers, counters, or words like 'a little'.

How It Works

The particle ずつ is essential for expressing distribution and steady pace in Japanese. It functions adverbially, meaning it often describes how an action is performed without needing extra particles like に or で.

1. Distribution to People or Things
When you want to say everyone gets an equal amount, you place ずつ after the quantity. For example, 一人に二つずつ (two each per person).

2. Incremental Action
It is used to describe actions performed in steps or intervals. Common phrases include 一歩ずつ（いっぽずつ） (one step at a time) or 一段ずつ（いちだんずつ） (one stair step at a time).

3. Gradual Change
When attached to indefinite quantities like 少し（すこし）, it describes a steady process: 少しずつ (little by little).

Grammar Note:

  • It follows a counter, a number, or a unit of measurement (quantifiers).
  • It does not attach directly to object nouns. You cannot say 'Apple-ずつ'; you must say 'Apples, one each' (りんごを一つずつ).
  • In modern Japanese, ずつ is the standard spelling and the one you should use. However, you may encounter づつ in literature or personal writing; this is a legally recognized variant, though less common today.
  • In very formal or legal contexts, you might occasionally see the kanji 宛 used for this particle, though it is rare in daily life.

Examples (4)

  1. 子供たちにチョコを二つずつあげました。

    I gave two chocolates to each of the children.

    Word by Word: Children to chocolate (object) two each gave.

    Here, ずつ follows the counter 'two' (二つ) to show that the amount of two was distributed to every child.

  2. 日本語が少しずつ上手になっています。

    My Japanese is getting better little by little.

    Word by Word: Japanese (subject) a little each skillful becoming is.

    When used with 'a little' (少し), it indicates a steady, incremental improvement over time.

  3. この薬を一日三回、二錠ずつ飲んでください。

    Please take two tablets of this medicine three times a day.

    Word by Word: This medicine (object) one day three times, two tablets each drink please.

    ずつ is used here to specify the exact dose (two tablets) for every single time the medicine is taken.

  4. 階段を一段ずつゆっくり上ります。

    I go up the stairs slowly, one step at a time.

    Word by Word: Stairs (object) one step each slowly go up.

    This shows the action is being performed in equal increments (one step) rather than all at once.

Common Mistakes

  • Attaching ずつ directly to an object noun.

    りんごずつ食べました。
    りんごを一つずつ食べました。

    ずつ must follow a quantifier, counter, or unit of measurement. You cannot attach it directly to the object (like 'apple'); you must specify the amount, such as 'one each' (一つずつ).

  • Confusing ずつ with ごとに (every).

    三日ずつ掃除します。
    三日ごとに掃除します。

    ごとに means 'every' (focusing on the frequency/interval), while ずつ means 'at a time' (focusing on the distribution of amount). 'Three days each' implies a duration of three days per session, whereas 'Every three days' implies how often the action occurs.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ずつLevel 1Each, Apiece

Learn This First

To understand ずつ, you need to be familiar with Japanese counters and basic sentence structure, as this particle is primarily used to distribute quantities or frequencies across people, things, or time intervals.

Words in This Pattern