がてら | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + がてら [verb ます-stem] + がてら

Description

AがてらB means you do A and use the same outing to do B as well: "while taking a walk, I stopped at the shop". It follows a noun of action (さんぽ散歩, かいもの買い物, りょこう旅行) or a verb's ます-stem, and the second half is usually a verb of going somewhere or dropping in.

、。

I went for a walk and stopped at the convenience store.

、。

I dropped in at a friend's place while I was out shopping.

、。

I take the dog for a walk and get some exercise at the same time.

A verb goes in the ます-stem: ×運動するがてら. With a する-noun, the noun alone is enough: さんぽ散歩がてら is more common than さんぽ散歩しがてら.

がてら or ながら

puts two actions at the same moment: listening to music while you study. がてら joins two purposes in one trip, and they need not happen at the same time.

。

I study while listening to music.

、。

While I was away on business, I met up with a friend from university.

Register

がてら is a little bookish but common in speech and writing alike. The everyday equivalent is ついでに. In formal letters and business visits, かたがたdoes the same job with nouns like お礼 and ご挨拶.

、。

While I was out for a walk, I stopped at a bookshop.

、。

I have come to visit, and to thank you.

Examples

、。

While taking a walk, I stopped by the bookstore.

、。

On the occasion of going shopping, I sent a package at the post office.

、。

While jogging, I also went to see the cherry blossoms in the neighborhood.

、。

While on a business trip, I met up with a friend from college.

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On the occasion of going for a drive, we had a meal at a seaside restaurant.

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For a change of pace, I decided to work at a café.

、。

While cherry blossom viewing, I walked around the park.

、。

While traveling, I bought a lot of local specialties.

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While walking the dog, I bought some bread at a nearby bakery.

、。

On the occasion of going to greet them, I also brought a gift.

、。

While visiting my hometown, I also stopped by a local hot spring.

References

がてらBunpro