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JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

ずつ (zutsu)

～ずつ — “～ each / ～ at a time”

In short · Attaches to an amount or number and shows that the same quantity applies to each person, item or time. Also used for gradual progress (少しずつ). It follows a quantity word and is placed before a verb.
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Pattern

  • 数量詞＋ずつ 二枚ずつ, 一錠ずつ (same amount each)
  • 副詞（少し・ゆっくり など）＋ずつ 少しずつ (little by little)

Equal share

一人に二枚ずつ配る: two to each person. The unit (each person) is marked with に, the amount with ずつ. In 朝と夜に一錠ずつ, the same amount is taken at each time.

Little by little

With 少し, ずつ expresses a gradual process: 少しずつ上手になる. This is typical for learning and habits: 少しずつでいいから、毎日続けることが大切だ.

Difference from ごとに

ごとに means “every (time unit / each item)” and focuses on the repetition. ずつ focuses on the amount allotted. 1時間ごとに休む vs 1時間に10分ずつ休む.

Examples

  • 一人（ひとり）に二枚（にまい）ずつ配（くば）ってください。

    Hitori ni nimai zutsu kubatte kudasai.

    Please hand out two sheets to each person.

  • 薬（くすり）は朝（あさ）と夜（よる）に一錠（いちじょう）ずつ飲（の）んでください。

    Kusuri wa asa to yoru ni ichijou zutsu nonde kudasai.

    Please take one tablet each, morning and night.

  • 少（すこ）しずつでいいから、毎日（まいにち）続（つづ）けることが大切（たいせつ）だ。

    Sukoshi zutsu de ii kara, mainichi tsudzukeru koto ga taisetsu da.

    A little at a time is fine; what matters is keeping it up every day.

Common mistakes

  • Do not use ずつ for different amounts each time. It means the same amount.
  • It follows the quantity, not the noun: 二枚ずつ, not 紙ずつ.

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