つい (Tsui) is a Japanese adverb meaning “just (now), quite (near), unintentionally, subconsciously”.

Meanings

  1. adverbjust (now)
  2. adverbquite (near)
  3. adverbunintentionally; subconsciously; by mistake; against one's better judgement (judgment)

Examples

  • I couldn't help falling asleep.

  • He fell into a slumber inadvertently.

  • My father went out just now.

Sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).