“〜zutsu”: Each / Little by Little [JLPT N4]

By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026

「一日一個ずつ食べる」「少しずつ上手になっている」 — equal distribution or gradual progress.

“〜zutsu”: Each / Little by Little

「(counter/少し) ＋ ずつ」 has two main uses: ① “each, per” (equal distribution): 「クラスの人に一枚ずつプリントを配った」 (handed out one sheet to each person in the class), 「一人ずつ教室に入る」 (enter the classroom one at a time); ② “little by little, gradually” (gradual change): 「少しずつ上手になっている」 (getting better little by little), 「毎日10単語ずつ覚える」 (memorize 10 words each day). ⚠️ Connection: counter ＋ ずつ (一枚ずつ, 三人ずつ); 「少しずつ」 is the most common fixed collocation (gradually). ⚠️ ずつ attaches after a counter, with no particle following (✗ 少しずつに).

🧠 Core nuance: equal distribution (each 〜) or gradual progress (little by little)

The core has two related uses: ① equal distribution ‘each, per' — distributing the same quantity to each person/each time (一人に一枚ずつ = one each per person, 二個ずつ配る = hand out two each, 三人ずつグループを作る = groups of three each), stressing even, regular dividing; ② gradual progress ‘little by little, gradually' — a slow, step-by-step change (少しずつ = little by little, 毎日少しずつ = a little each day, 10個ずつ覚える = memorize 10 at a time), stressing gradual accumulation, regular progress. ⚠️ The two uses connect: both are ‘an equal amount, regularly (distributing/progressing).' ⚠️ Connection: counter/少し ＋ ずつ (一枚ずつ, 少しずつ); ずつ attaches after a counter, with no particle following (✗ 少しずつに, ✗ 一枚ずつを). ⚠️ 「少しずつ」 is the most common fixed collocation (gradually: 少しずつ上達する = progress gradually). A basic N4 word for distribution, gradual progress.

📌 How to Connect

💬 Example Sentences

• 学生に一枚ずつプリントを渡した。(I handed one sheet to each student.) — equal distribution
• 一人ずつ、順番に教室に入ってください。(Please enter the classroom one at a time, in order.) — one each (distribution)
• 日本語が少しずつ上手になってきた。(My Japanese has gotten better little by little.) — gradual
• 毎日10単語ずつ覚えるようにしている。(I try to memorize 10 words each day.) — regular progress
• 薬は一錠ずつ、食後に飲んでください。(Take the medicine one tablet at a time, after meals.) — 〜 at a time

🔄 Compare: ずつ vs おきに vs ごとに vs だけ

⚠️ Common Mistakes

1. No particle after: ずつ attaches after a counter, with no particle following (少しずつ, ✗ 少しずつに; 一枚ずつ, ✗ 一枚ずつを).
2. だんだん doesn't take ずつ: だんだん already means ‘gradually,' ✗ だんだんずつ; for gradually use 「少しずつ」.
3. No repetition: 一枚ずつ (✗ 一枚ずつずつ).
4. Two main uses: equal distribution (each 〜) or gradual progress (little by little), by context.

💡 Nuance & When to Use

「ずつ」 has two main uses: ① equal distribution ‘each, per' (一人一枚ずつ = one each per person, 二個ずつ配る); ② gradual progress ‘little by little, gradually' (少しずつ上達する = progress gradually, 10単語ずつ覚える). Both are ‘an equal amount, regularly distributed/progressing.' Attaches to a counter/少し ＋ ずつ, with no particle following. 「少しずつ」 (gradually) is the most common fixed collocation. ⚠️ Distinguish from the interval おきに and the each-one ごとに. A must at N4.

🎯 JLPT Exam Tips

• N4 core: counter ＋ ずつ = each, per (equal distribution); 少し ＋ ずつ = little by little (gradual).
• Connection: attaches after a counter/少し, with no particle following (少しずつ, ✗ 少しずつに).
• Distinction: ずつ (equal distribution/gradual) vs おきに (every other, interval) vs ごとに (each one); 少しずつ is most common.

🖊️ Practice Quiz

Q1. 「クラスの人に一枚___プリントを配った。」(one each)

(A) ずつ　(B) だけ　(C) ほど　(D) しか

Q2. What does 「少しずつ」 mean?

(A) in large amounts

(B) little by little, gradually

(C) immediately

(D) not at all

Q3. What does 「毎日10単語ずつ覚える」 mean?

(A) memorize random words daily

(B) memorize 10 words each day (even, regular study)

(C) already memorized 10

(D) no need to memorize

Q4. In what situations is 「ずつ」 used?

(A) for a large batch all at once

(B) even distribution (… each) or gradual progress (little by little)

(C) sudden change

(D) negation

Q5. What does 「日本語が少しずつ上手になってきた」 mean?

(A) suddenly became great at Japanese

(B) Japanese is improving little by little (gradual change)

(C) Japanese got worse

(D) Japanese hasn't improved at all

Answer Key

1. (A) ずつ ── 一枚ずつ = one each (even distribution).

2. (B) ── 少しずつ = little by little, gradually.

3. (B) ── 10単語ずつ = 10 words each day (even, regular).

4. (B) ── ずつ = even distribution (… each) or gradual progress (little by little).

5. (B) ── 少しずつ上手になってきた = improving little by little (gradual change).

Attachment Reference