且つ・かつ

Japanese Grammar Advanced Japanese ★★★ 3/5 formal かつkatsu
Reading かつ
Romaji katsu
Formation A かつ B / A、かつ B
Kanji breakdown 且 (か・つ) = moreover, furthermore

Meaning

A conjunction meaning 'and' or 'as well as,' used to connect words, phrases, or sentences to indicate that two qualities, conditions, or actions coexist simultaneously. It emphasises that both elements apply at the same time.

かつ is a formal conjunction that emphasises the simultaneous presence or coexistence of two qualities, conditions, or actions. Unlike と or そして, which simply list or sequence items, かつ stresses that both elements are true or required at the same time. It is common in formal writing, business documents, job descriptions, and academic texts. For example, in a job listing, 経験があり、かつ意欲的な人 means someone who is both experienced and motivated — the かつ underscores that both qualities must be present. It can connect adjectives, verbs, clauses, and noun phrases. The kanji form 且つ appears in formal texts, while かつ in hiragana is used in semi-formal contexts.

Examples

  1. 効率的かつ持続可能な方法を模索する必要がある。 We need to explore methods that are efficient and sustainable.
  2. 彼女は冷静かつ的確な判断で危機を乗り越えた。 She overcame the crisis with calm and accurate judgement.
  3. 応募者には実務経験があり、かつ語学力が求められる。 Applicants are required to have practical experience and language proficiency.

Usage Guide

Context: written, business, academic

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

  • 安全かつ迅速に作業を進めてください。
  • 理論的かつ実践的なアプローチが求められている。
  • 本プロジェクトは革新的かつ社会的意義の高い取り組みである。

Don't Say

  • おいしいかつ安いラーメン屋を知っている。(Using かつ in a casual recommendation — too stiff for everyday speech) → おいしくて安いラーメン屋を知っている。
  • 彼はかつ走った。(Using かつ to connect a single verb without a parallel element) → 彼は走り、かつ声を上げて仲間に合図を送った。

Origin & History

かつ derives from the classical Japanese conjunction 且つ, which originally meant 'moreover' or 'at the same time.' It has been used in literary and formal Japanese since the Nara period and retains its formal register in modern usage.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Related Phrases

また An adverb and conjunction meaning 'also,' 'again,' or 'moreover,' used to indicate repetition of an action or addition of a new but related point. It is one of the most versatile connectors in Japanese. さて An interjection or conjunction used to shift the topic of conversation or mark a transition to a new subject. It signals that the speaker is moving on from the current discussion to address something different or to begin the main point. ただ A conjunction meaning 'however' or 'but,' used to introduce a supplementary remark, reservation, or minor qualification to the preceding statement. It softens the contrast compared to しかし or だが. ちなみに A conjunction meaning 'by the way' or 'incidentally,' used to add supplementary or tangential information related to the current topic. It connects the preceding context with an additional piece of information the speaker considers relevant or interesting. 更に An adverb and conjunction meaning 'furthermore,' 'additionally,' or 'even more,' used to indicate that something is being added to or escalated beyond what was already mentioned. It can express both addition and intensification. あるいは A conjunction meaning 'or,' 'alternatively,' or 'possibly,' used to present alternatives or to suggest another possibility. It connects two or more options, choices, or hypotheses within a sentence or across sentences. もしくは A conjunction meaning 'or,' used to disjunctively connect two items, ideas, or conditions. It presents mutually exclusive alternatives in a formal or official context. もっとも A conjunction meaning 'although,' 'having said that,' or 'though,' used to add a comment that partially retracts, qualifies, or puts into perspective what the speaker has just said. It acknowledges the validity of the preceding statement while introducing a counterbalancing consideration.
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