Components

Grammar detail: 〜つ〜つ (持ちつ持たれつ etc.)

〜つ〜つ (持ちつ持たれつ etc.)  something and its opposite
226 words
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The 〜つ〜つ construction is formed by adding a verb in the つ form (an archaic form made by taking the masu stem and adding つ) to a verb meaning the opposite (often the つ form of the passive form of the same verb). It conveys the idea of something and its opposite happening at the same time or alternately, or giving and receiving something at the same time.
The most common usage is the set expression 持ちつ持たれつ, based on 持つ (to own / hold etc).
1
expression, noun
give-and-take
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It conveys the idea of 'give and take' - holding something, but also giving something.
よのなか
ちつ
たれつ
なか
こと
うつく
しき
かなって
Give-and-take is the way of the world. Good relationships are a beautiful thing, don't you think?
おれ
たち
たが
てて
たれ
です
We'll watch each other and help each other out.
More broadly, it conveys the idea of 'live and let live'.
なか
ちつ
たれつ

Live and let live.
Several other common expressions are based on the same construction. For example:
1-2 1-3
adverb, noun
exchanging sake cups
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しつ
されつ is commonly used when serving each other with drinks. The base form,
す, has many meanings, one of which is 'serve drinks'.
coming into and out of sight  (see also: 見え隠れ)
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Here the compound form is based on two words -
える (be visible), and
かく
れる (be hidden). This expression is one of the relatively rare examples of this form that uses opposite verbs, instead of a verb and its passive form.
noun
back-and-forth; neck-and-neck
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Here our compound form is based on
く (to extract, to pull out, to pull away etc).
cat-and-mouse (race); lead changing hands many times
(click the word for examples and links)
Here our form is based on
う (pursue) - alternately pursuing and being pursued.
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Kanji used in this grammar

ジ   も to hold, to have   
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サ    difference, distinction   さ to put (up), to raise   
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ケン   み to see   みえる to be seen; to appear   みせる to show   
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イン   かく to hide, to conceal   かくれる to hide, to be in hiding   
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バツ   ぬ to extract, pull out   ぬける to come / fall out; be omitted   ぬかす to omit   ぬかる to make a blunder   
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ツイ   お to pursue   
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チュウ   なか friend; go-between   
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リョウ   よ good   
ビ   うつくしい beautiful   
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おれ me, I   
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ゴ   たが mutual, reciprocal   
セ   セイ   よ the world   
チュウ   ジュウ   なか middle   
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