What does ～がてら（動詞） mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

The same pattern as 「がてら」 but attaches to the verb's MASU-STEM; combining another activity into a single trip/action.

• 「Vます形＋がてら」 = while doing A, also do B. The same pattern as 「N＋がてら」 (see 「～がてら」), differing only in how it attaches.
• The verb before 「がてら」 usually indicates MOVEMENT or an existing activity.
• Different from 「ついでに」 (colloquial, more common); 「がてら」 is somewhat literary.

Examples

• 散歩(さんぽ)しがてら、郵便(ゆうびん)局(きょく)に寄(よ)ってきた。

  While out for a walk, I stopped by the post office.

• 買(か)い物(もの)しがてら、友人(ゆうじん)の家(いえ)を訪(たず)ねた。

  While shopping, I paid a visit to a friend’s house.

Keep in mind

• Attaches to the MASU-STEM, not the dictionary form.
• Both activities must be doable on the same occasion.

Common mistakes

• Wrong散歩(さんぽ)するがてら、郵便(ゆうびん)局(きょく)に寄(よ)った。

  While out for a walk, I also dropped by the post office.

  Correct散歩(さんぽ)しがてら、郵便(ゆうびん)局(きょく)に寄(よ)った。

  The verb attaches via the MASU-STEM (散歩し), not the dictionary form.

• Wrong寝(ね)がてら、本(ほん)を読(よ)んだ。

  I read a book before going to sleep.

  Correct寝(ね)る前(まえ)に本(ほん)を読(よ)んだ。

  「がてら」 combines two activities into ONE occasion/trip; it's not used when activities can't be combined.

Exam tips

• 「Vます形＋がてら」 = the same pattern as 「がてら」, attaching to the verb's masu-stem.

Related patterns

• ～がてら
• ～ついでに
• ～かたがた