Migii JLPT
Migii JLPT
Open Migii JLPT app
Open
BackBack

Grammar 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(どうじ)(うご)き - Two things that are existing/happening simultaneously.
確定(かくてい)逆説(ぎゃくせつ) - Two things that are unexpectedly existing/happening simultaneously.
We will focus purely on the 同時(どうじ)(うご)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.
  • (わたし)毎日(まいにち)音楽(おんがく)()ながら(はし)ます
    I run every day, while listening to music.
  • 運転(うんてん)ながら携帯(けいたい)使(つか)ていたら(まえ)(くるま)にぶつかっ
    When I was using my phone while driving, I crashed into the car in front of me.
Grammatically, the (B) action is considered to be the 'important' action, while the (A) action expresses the timeline within which (B) takes place.
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(こうこう)(ころ)サッカー練習(れんしゅう)ながら漢字(かんじ)勉強(べんきょう)
    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(かんじ)勉強(べんきょう)ながらアニメ()
    I watch anime while studying kanji. (Natural Japanese, as the speaker is doing both things at the same time)
  • 大学(だいがく)(かよ)ながら、トランプ()アメリカ大統領(だいとうりょう)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
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

(わたし)(ばん)(はん)()ながら一番(いちばん)()番組(ばんぐみ)()

I watch my favorite TV show while eating dinner.

(あか)ちゃん()ながら、おならした

The baby farted while sleeping.

友達(ともだち)()ながらコーヒー()もう

Let's get coffee while we wait for our friends.

運転(うんてん)ながら携帯(けいたい)使(つか)ってはいけない

You must not use a cellphone while driving.

(いぬ)散歩(さんぽ)ながら(ほん)()んでいた

While I was walking my dog, I was reading a book.

Grammar same lesson

かい

Question marker
See detailsreport

と~と~どちらが

Between ~ which one
See detailsreport

~た所(ところ)だ

Just finished doing, Was just doing
See detailsreport

続(つづ)ける

To continue
See detailsreport

なければいけない

Must do, Have to do
See detailsreport
Practice
JLPT Practice
Review after tedious theory lessons.
Practice nownext
Practice
JLPT Mock Test
Let’s see how far you’ve honed your knowledge!
Take mock test nownext
Close image