ながら | Grammar

Structure

[verb ます-stem] + ながら + [verb]

Description

ながら joins two actions that one person does at the same time: "while ~ing". It goes on the ます-stem of the first verb, the background action, and the verb at the end of the sentence is the main one.

。

I study while listening to music.

。

Let's talk as we walk.

。

She wrote the letter in tears.

× 聞くながら → 聞きながら

The verb before ながら never changes. Tense and politeness are carried by the last verb.

。

I read the paper over a cup of coffee.

Which action comes first

The main action goes at the end. Swap the two and the sentence says something else.

。

I eat while watching TV.

The meal is the point; the TV is on in the background.

。

I watch TV while eating.

Now the TV is the point.

One person only

Both actions belong to the same person. When two people do the two things, use ま間 with ～ている.

、。

While my mother cooked, I studied.

× 母が料理しながら私は勉強した → 母が料理している間、私は勉強した

Usage notes

These go beyond two actions at the same moment.

Over a longer stretch

ながら also covers two things done over the same months or years.

。

I go to university while working.

"Although"

After a noun, an adjective, or a state such as しっている知っている, ながら means "although". That is the meaning of ながらも, and the set phrase ざんねん残念ながら "unfortunately" comes from it.

、。

Unfortunately, I can't take part.

Examples

。

I am running while listening to music.

。

Please don't eat while watching TV.

。

Using your smartphone while walking is dangerous.

。

I went home while chatting with my friend.

。

I like reading books while drinking coffee.

。

She wrote the letter while crying.

。

I am singing a song while cooking.

。

I attend university while working.

きごう「きごう」。

He said "sorry" while laughing.

。

Let's watch a movie while eating snacks.

。

I listened to the teacher while taking notes.

。

I read the newspaper while eating breakfast.