Japanese grammar
What does ～ながら mean? Japanese grammar N5
～ながら means while ~ing, also ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N5 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vます (drop ます) + ながら、V |
| Romaji | ~ nagara |
| Meaning | while ~ing, also ~ |
How to use it
Two actions happen at the same time, done by the SAME person.
- The action in the ながら clause is the SECONDARY action; the main action comes at the end of the sentence.
- Both actions must be done by the SAME person.
- 「音楽を聞きながら勉強します」= the main activity is studying; listening to music is just incidental.
Examples
音楽を聞きながら勉強します。
I study while listening to music.
コーヒーを飲みながら話しましょう。
Let us talk while drinking coffee.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong飲むながら
Correct飲みながら
ながら attaches to the ます stem (drop ます), not the dictionary form.