“〜ni tsuki”: Due To / Per (formal notice language) [JLPT N2]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
“Kōji-chū ni tsuki tsūkō dome” “Hitori ni tsuki ichi-mai” — the language of signs and rules
“〜ni tsuki”: Due To / Per (formal, used in notices)
「noun ＋ につき」 has two common meanings: ① “due to 〜” (a reason, in notice style): 「工事中につき通行止め」 (closed due to construction); ② “per 〜” (a unit/ratio): 「一人につき1枚」 (one per person). It's written, formal, notice-style language, rarely used in casual conversation.
🧠 Core nuance: context decides “reason” vs “per”
The same につき is told apart by context: if a situation/reason precedes it (準備中, 祝日, 雨天) → “due to”; if a quantity/unit precedes it (一人, 一個, 1時間) → “per.” The former appears on shop notices and announcements; the latter on prices and rules. Either way, につき carries a formal, official air.
📌 How to Connect
| Meaning | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| due to (reason / notice) | noun ＋ につき | 工事中につき通行止め |
| per (unit / ratio) | quantity noun ＋ につき | 一人につき1000円 |
💬 Example Sentences
- 準備中につき、しばらくお待ちください。(Please wait a moment, as we're preparing.) — shop notice
- 本日は祝日につき、休業いたします。(Closed today due to the holiday.) — stating a reason
- お一人様につき、お一つまで。(One per person, please.) — a rule
- 入場料は一人につき500円です。(Admission is 500 yen per person.) — ratio
- 雨天につき、イベントは中止となりました。(The event was cancelled due to rain.) — formal notice
🔄 Compare: につき vs ため vs によって vs あたり
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜につき (due to) | notice / formal “due to” | 工事中につき |
| 〜ため | general “because,” written & spoken | 工事のため |
| 〜によって | “by / due to” (means / cause) | 台風によって |
| 〜あたり (per) | colloquial “per” | 一人あたり |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Attaching a verb or adjective: ✗ 忙しいにつき → a noun must precede につき (多忙につき).
- Using it in intimate speech: saying につき with friends sounds odd; use 〜から／〜ので.
- Confusing “per” and “due to”: judge by whether a quantity or a situation precedes it.
- Wrong word order: ✗ につき祝日 → ✓ 祝日につき (noun first).
💡 Nuance & When to Use
につき is signature language for notices, announcements, rules, and business documents — the “closed today” on a shop door, the “per person” on a price list, the 〜につき in official memos. It makes a sentence formal, objective, and official. Rare in conversation, but very useful for reading signs/notices and writing formal letters — and a frequent N2 point.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- High-frequency N2: noun ＋ につき; tell “due to” from “per” by what precedes it.
- Register: lock onto the “notice / formal” feel, vs colloquial から／ので／あたり.
- Connection items: a noun always precedes it (多忙・祝日・一人).
🖊️ Practice Quiz
Q1. 「準備中___、しばらくお待ちください。」(due to preparation — a notice)
(A) につき (B) によって (C) について (D) にとって
Q2. What does 「につき」 mean in 「一人につき千円」?
(A) Per (1000 yen per person)
(B) Due to
(C) About
(D) Toward
Q3. What does 「につき」 mean in 「祝日につき休業」?
(A) Due to (closed because of the holiday)
(B) Per
(C) About
(D) Toward
Q4. What register is 「につき」 (due to)?
(A) Written, notice/announcement language
(B) Intimate speech
(C) Children's speech
(D) Command form
Q5. Which usage is correct?
(A) 改装中につき休業します。 (B) 改装中につきください食べて。
(C) 一個につきの人。 (D) につき祝日。
Answer Key
1. (A) につき ── due to preparation (notice).
2. (A) Per ── 一人につき = per person.
3. (A) Due to ── closed because of the holiday.
4. (A) ── written, notice language.
5. (A) ── 「改装中につき休業します」 is correct.