Japanese grammar
What does ～ながらも mean? Japanese grammar N1
～ながらも means although…; despite….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vます形 + ながらも い形/な形/N + ながらも |
| Romaji | nagaramo |
| Meaning | although…; despite… |
Forming it
| i-adjective | 狭い + ながらも |
|---|---|
| Verb (ます stem) | 知り + ながらも |
How to use it
Concessive: although there is A, still B (B contradicts what A implies). Written.
- 「～ながらも」 = although A, still B. The character 「も」 turns 「ながら」 (while... at the same time) into a CONCESSIVE.
- A familiar phrase: 「狭いながらも楽しい我が家」 (a home that, though small, is happy).
- Different from plain 「～ながら」 (simultaneity only): only with 「も」 does it carry a contrastive meaning.
Examples
狭いながらも、居心地のいい部屋だ。
Small though it is, the room is comfortable.
危険だと知りながらも、彼は現場へ向かった。
Knowing it was dangerous, he still headed to the scene.
Keep in mind
- The following clause contradicts what A implies.
- The subject of both clauses must be the same.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong音楽を聞きながらも、勉強した。
I studied while listening to music.
Correct音楽を聞きながら、勉強した。
Two SIMULTANEOUS actions use 「ながら」; 「ながらも」 carries a concessive meaning (although...but).
-
Wrong狭いながらも、住みにくい。
Although small, it's still hard to live in.
Correct狭いながらも、住みやすい。
The latter clause must CONTRADICT what A implies (small → one would expect hard to live in, but here it's actually pleasant).
Exam tips
- 「ながらも」 = although A, still B (concessive); different from 「ながら」 (simultaneity).