BackGrammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 25
Structure of ながら:
Verb［ます］+ ながら
Details about ながら:
ながら is another conjunction particle in Japanese that has two primary different meanings. These meanings are as follows:
同時の動き - Two things that are existing/happening simultaneously.
確定の逆説 - Two things that are unexpectedly existing/happening simultaneously.
We will focus purely on the 同時の動き meaning in this grammar point. To use ながら, simply add it to the ます stem of verb (A), and then highlight verb (B) as part of the following clause. This may be translated simply as 'while' in English.
同時の動き - Two things that are existing/happening simultaneously.
確定の逆説 - Two things that are unexpectedly existing/happening simultaneously.
We will focus purely on the 同時の動き meaning in this grammar point. To use ながら, simply add it to the ます stem of verb (A), and then highlight verb (B) as part of the following clause. This may be translated simply as 'while' in English.
- 私は毎日、音楽を聴きながら走ります。I run every day, while listening to music.
- 運転しながら携帯を使っていたら、前の車にぶつかった。When I was using my phone while driving, I crashed into the car in front of me.
ながら
Usage Notes for ながら:
Due to the (B) action being considered the 'primary' action of something that (A) is related to, (A) and (B) must have the same subject.
- 高校の頃はサッカーの練習をしながら漢字の勉強もした。When I was in high school, I studied kanji while also practicing soccer. (Natural Japanese, as the overall timeline of the sentence is 'while in high school')
- 漢字の勉強をしながらアニメを見る。I watch anime while studying kanji. (Natural Japanese, as the speaker is doing both things at the same time)
- 大学に通いながら、トランプ氏がアメリカの大統領だった。Trump was the president of America while I was going to university. (Unnatural Japanese. Although the events happen at the same time, they share no common subject/place)
Synonyms for ながら:
ているあいだに
While, During the time that ~
の間に
While, During, Between, Period
つつ
While, And
とき
When, At the time of
かたわら
While, Besides, In addition to
中
During, While, Throughout, In the process of
うちに
While, During
ついでに
While you are at it, On the occasion
ているところだ
In the process of doing ~ right now/at this moment
がてら
On the occasion of, While … as well, While … (one is) at it, During, Along the way
つつある
-ing, Be -ing
Example of ながら
私は晩ご飯を食べながら、一番好きな番組を見る。
I watch my favorite TV show while eating dinner.
赤ちゃんが寝ながら、おならをした。
The baby farted while sleeping.
友達を待ちながら、コーヒーを飲もう。
Let's get coffee while we wait for our friends.
運転しながら携帯を使ってはいけない。
You must not use a cellphone while driving.
犬と散歩をしながら、本を読んでいた。
While I was walking my dog, I was reading a book.
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