Japanese grammar
What does ～を兼ねて mean? Japanese grammar N1
～を兼ねて means combining with…; also serving as….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + を兼ねて N + と + N + を兼ねて |
| Romaji | wokanete |
| Meaning | combining with…; also serving as… |
Forming it
| Noun | 運動 + を兼ねて |
|---|---|
| Two purposes | 挨拶 + と + 打ち合わせ + を兼ねて |
How to use it
One action serves TWO purposes at once. More formal than 「がてら」.
- 「～を兼ねて」 = doing one thing that serves two purposes at once: "doubling as...".
- The form 「AとBを兼ねて」 explicitly states both purposes.
- Different from 「がてら」 (incidentally, more colloquial): 「を兼ねて」 emphasizes both purposes as INTENTIONAL, and is more formal.
Examples
運動を兼ねて、駅まで歩いている。
I walk to the station, which doubles as exercise.
挨拶と打ち合わせを兼ねて、来週伺います。
I’ll visit next week, combining a greeting with our meeting.
Keep in mind
- Attaches to a noun indicating a purpose.
- The attributive form is 「を兼ねた + N」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong運動が兼ねて、駅まで歩く。
I walk to the station, which also serves as exercise.
Correct運動を兼ねて、駅まで歩く。
Use the particle 「を」: 「N を兼ねて」.
-
Wrong運動を兼ねての散歩をする。
I take a walk that also serves as exercise.
Correct運動を兼ねた散歩をする。
As a modifier, use 「を兼ねた + N」.
Exam tips
- 「を兼ねて」 = serving two purposes (formal); modifier form 「を兼ねた＋N」.