Verb ながら (〜nagara)

N4

Verb ながら (〜nagara)

Verb nagara (〜nagara)

While Doing (Two Actions at the Same Time)

N4

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Explanation

The ～ながら grammar point is used to indicate that two actions are happening simultaneously or that one action is happening while another is taking place. This can be translated to 'while' or 'as' in English. It is primarily used with verbs.

Structure

Pattern
Verb-masu stem + ながら
Verb-masu stemThe base form of the verb that precedes the ながら.
Examples: 見る (miru) → 見 (mi), 聞く (kiku) → 聞 (ki)

Examples

Example 1
テレビを見ながら宿題をしました。
Terebi wo minagara shukudai wo shimashita.
I did my homework while watching television.
Breakdown
みながらwhile watching
しましたdid
Example 2
音楽を聞きながら料理をしました。
Ongaku wo kikinagara ryouri wo shimashita.
I cooked while listening to music.
Breakdown
きながらwhile listening
しましたcooked
Example 3
歩きながらスマホを見るのは危険です。
Arukinagara sumaho wo miru no wa kiken desu.
Looking at your smartphone while walking is dangerous.
Breakdown
ながらwhile
見るのはlooking
Example 4
彼は話しながら笑っていました。
Kare wa hanashi nagara waratte imashita.
He was laughing while talking.
Breakdown
ながらwhile
いましたwas doing

Related Grammar

Practice Exercises →
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