Japanese grammar
What does ～がてら mean? Japanese grammar N2
～がてら means doing something while also, along the way, doing something else.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vます (drop ます)／N + がてら |
| Romaji | gatera |
| Meaning | doing something while also, along the way, doing something else |
Forming it
| Connection | Vます (drop ます)／N + がてら |
|---|
How to use it
Combines two things into one trip/occasion: while doing A, also do B.
- 「～がてら」 = while doing A, also do B. A noun connects directly; a verb uses the MASU-STEM.
- The first clause is usually an existing outing/activity: 散歩・買い物・見舞い.
- Different from 「～ついでに」 (colloquial, more common); 「がてら」 is somewhat literary.
Examples
散歩がてら、郵便局まで行ってきます。
I will go to the post office while taking a walk.
買い物がてら、友達の家を訪ねた。
I visited a friend while out shopping.
散歩がてら、近所の公園まで歩いた。
While out for a walk, I strolled over to the neighborhood park.
Keep in mind
- Nouns connect directly; verbs use the masu-stem.
- The two activities must be doable on the same occasion.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong散歩にがてら郵便局へ行く。
Correct散歩がてら郵便局へ行く。
An activity noun connects directly to がてら.
-
Wrong寝るがてら、本を読んだ。
Before going to sleep, I read a book.
Correct寝る前に本を読んだ。
「がてら」 combines two things into ONE outing/activity; it's not used for things that can't be combined.
-
Wrong買い物するがてら、友達に会った。
While out shopping, I ran into a friend too.
Correct買い物がてら、友達に会った。
A noun connects directly; a verb must use the MASU-STEM (買い物しがてら), not the dictionary form.
Exam tips
- 「がてら」 = doing something else along the way (one occasion); N connects directly, V uses the masu-stem.