When you want to describe something that happens “while” something else happens in Japanese, you’ll usually use 〜ながら transcribed nagara, 〜かたわら transcribed katawara or 〜がてら transcribed gatera. They’re all often translated as “while” but they’re a bit different:
〜ながら transcribed nagara is used when you want to say that two actions truly happen simultaneously, at the exact same time.
〜かたわら transcribed katwara is used when you’re doing something “on the side” of a long-term action, like working a second job “on the side.”
〜がてら transcribed gatera is used when you take time to do something while on an outing with another purpose, like stopping off at the bank while out shopping.
In this post, we’ll teach you how and when to use each of these words to mean “while” in Japanese. Ready to dive in? Let’s have a look!
How to use 〜ながら [nagara] for “while”?
In Japanese, 〜ながら transcribed nagara is often the first way you’ll learn to say “while.”
Ongoing Action + ながら transcribed nagara
While doing this...
Simultaneous Action
…someone does this at the same time.
In this use, ながら transcribed nagara is attached to the masu stem of a verb, which is the polite form with the 〜ます transcribed -masu ending removed.
| Dictionary form | 聴く Transcription: kiku Translation: to listen |
|---|---|
| Polite form | 聴きます Transcription: kikimasu Translation: to listen (polite) |
| With ながら transcribed nagara | 聴きながら Transcription: kikinagara Translation: while listening |
Here are some notes about how and when to use this form of “while.”
The subject of each action should be the same. So you wouldn’t use ながら transcribed nagara to say “I read a book while he was cooking”.
Never use ながら transcribed nagara after a verb that happens “in a moment.” So you wouldn’t use it after a verb like “to die” or “to get on.”
ながら transcribed nagara is the only word you should use to mean “while” if someone is actually multi-tasking: doing two things at exactly the same time.
I listened to music while cleaning.simultaneous: always use ながら transcribed nagaraThe other translations of “while” will be used for actions you switch between during the same general time period, as in: “While walking to work, I stopped by the bank.” You can often use ながら transcribed nagara in these cases as well, but in those cases, you’ll have other options too!
Let’s have a look at some of those other options!
How to use かたわら[katawara] for “while”?
In Japanese, we use かたわら transcribed katawara follows the main action that takes place while something else happens on the side, usually alternating with the main action. This structure is commonly used in formal settings, especially in writing.
Main action + かたわら transcribed katawara
While doing this...
Action done “on the side”
…someone did this on the side.
Some important things to note about when you’ll use this structure:
You’ll most often use this sentence structure when the subject is engaging in both activities for a long period. So you might use it to describe having a “side gig” alongside your “real job.”
The situations or actions should have the same subject.
While the two verbs happen during the same window of time, they usually don’t happen simultaneously. The action done “on the side” would happen during a break from doing the main action.
Sometimes the main “situation” is described with a noun, rather than a verb. You might do this to say something like “While I was a teacher…” In this case, you’ll need to add の transcribed no between the noun and かたわら transcribed katawara.
The action done “on the side” will often be marked by the particle も transcribed mo, which here means “also” or “too.” It will also most often be in the te-iru form, as it represents a long-term action.
Let’s look at some examples!
When to use かたわら [katawara] vs. ながら [nagara]?
Here are some points that can help you pick between using かたわら transcribed katawara rather than ながら transcribed nagara.
かたわら transcribed katawaraCANNOT be used for simultaneous actions.
As mentioned earlier, ながら transcribed nagara is used for two actions that someone does simultaneously. You can’t use かたわら transcribed katawara in a situation like this!
- ✅ 危ないので、歩きながら、携帯を使わないでください。Transcription: Abunai node, aruki nagara, keitai o tsukawanaide kudasai.Translation: It’s dangerous, so please don't use your cellphone while walking.
- ❌ 危ないので、歩くかたわら、携帯電話を使わないでください。Transcription: Abunai node, aruku katawara, keitai denwa o tsukawanaide kudasai.The two actions are simultaneous, so we cannot use use かたわら transcribed katawara
かたわら transcribed katawara is more formal than ながら transcribed nagara.
かたわら transcribed katawara sounds formal and bookish than whereas ながら transcribed nagara, which can be used in both casual and formal settings.
かたわら transcribed katawara sounds like a more structured situation.
You’ll often use かたわら transcribed katawara to talk something you did in a structured way, while in a long-term situation like having a job, having a social position, or having a habit.
structured action✅ レストランで働くかたわら、料理のブログも書いている。Transcription: Resutoran de hataraku katawara, ryōri no burogu mo kaite iru.Translation: Alongside working at a restaurant, I also write a cooking blog.This sounds like you’re doing both actions in a structured way, as though you have two occupations: a main job and a side job.You can also use ながら transcribed nagara with these sorts of long-term actions, but when you use it sounds less structured.
less-structured action✅ レストランで働きながら、料理のブログも書いている。Transcription: Resutoran de hatarakinagara, ryōri no burogu mo kaite iru.Translation: I work at a restaurant, and also write a cooking blog.Here, the cooking blog sounds a bit more like a hobby, or something that you just happen to do in addition to your work.
How to use がてら[gatera] for “while”?
You can use がてら transcribed gatera to mean “while” if you’re describing something you went while on an outing with another purpose. Use the pattern below.
Main goal of outing + がてら transcribed gatera
While out doing this...
Added Activity
...someone takes time to do something else.
The main outing is always described in terms of the action that they were trying to accomplish. This action can be described using…
…the masu stem of a verb (i.e. the polite form with the 〜ます transcribed -masu ending removed)
masu stem友達を駅に迎えに行きがてら、新しいデパートに行く。Transcription: Tomodachi o eki ni mukae ni iki gatera, atarashii depāto ni iku.Translation: While going to the station to pick up my friend, I’ll visit the new department store.…a noun representing an action. In this case, there’s no need to use の transcribed no after the noun!
散歩がてら、買い物に出かけた。Transcription: Sanpo gatera, kaimono ni dekaketa.Translation: While out on a walk, I went shopping.
Here are some other things to keep in mind, when you use this construction:
The subjects of both actions must be the same.
This structure sounds a bit old-fashioned, so you might not often hear it in everyday conversation.
Usually, the added activity is a “detour” to do something else, so it will generally involve a movement verb. Here are some common ones:
- 行くTranscription: ikuTranslation: to go
- 来るTranscription: kuruTranslation: to come
- 出かけるTranscription: dekakeruTranslation: to go out
- 歩くTranscription: arukuTranslation: to walk
When you use がてら transcribed gatera the two activities do not need to have simultaneously, but they’re just part of the same “outing.”
買い物がてら、銀行に寄った。Transcription: Kaimono gatera, ginkō ni yotta.Translation: While shopping, I stopped by the bank.You aren’t shopping and stopping by the bank at the same time, but the bank and the shopping happened on the same “outing.”
When to use ついでに [tsuideni]
In everyday conversation, most people will use ついでに transcribed tsuideni instead of がてら transcribed gatera. This ending has the same meaning, but it is attached, instead, to the dictionary form of a verb.
When to use がてら [gatera] vs. 〜ながら [nagara]?
Although がてら transcribed gatera and 〜ながら transcribed nagara are both are often translated as “while,” they’re used in quite different situations.
がてら transcribed gatera CANNOT be used for simultaneous actions.
If someone is literally doing two actions at exactly the same time, you’ll need to use ながら transcribed nagara, since がてら transcribed gatera is only used in situations where someone switches between two actions.
がてら transcribed gatera is used to add an additional purpose to an action.
がてら transcribed gatera is used to describe a secondary purpose for an outing.
運動がてら、会社まで歩いた。Transcription: Undō gatera, kaisha made aruita.Translation: I walked to the company office to get some exercise.Literally: While exercising, I walked to the company office.Stopping by your office adds a second purpose to your outing. The two actions are connected.If you use ながら transcribed nagara, this presents the two actions as independent actions that just happen to overlap in time.
音楽を聴きながら、会社まで歩いた。Transcription: Ongaku o kikinagara, kaisha made aruita.Translation: I walked to the company office while listening to music.These are two actions you just happened to do at the same time. They’re otherwise unrelated.がてら transcribed gatera is usually followed by movement verbs.
When you use がてら transcribed gatera, the “added” activity will almost always be described using a movement verb. On the other hand, ながら transcribed nagara doesn’t have this restriction, so you can use it with any kind of action.
Remember, がてら transcribed gatera is old-fashioned!
If you find yourself wanting to use がてら transcribed gatera in a less formal conversation, replace it with ついでに transcribed tuideni!
To sum up
In this post, we looked at three of the most common ways to say “while” in Japanese, and when you should use each one. Here’s a quick summary chart!
| ながら transcribed nagara | かたわら transcribed katawara | がてら transcribed gatera | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Follows | Verb (masu stem) | Verb (dictionary form) | Verb (masu stem) |
– | Noun + の (no) | Noun | |
| Formality | Formal or casual | Formal, it’s especially used in writing | Old-fashioned. Use ついでに transcribed tuideni in everyday conversation. |
| Use when… | Someone is multi-tasking: two actions at once | Someone does a long-term action “on the side” | Someone is adding a secondary purpose to an outing |
| Subjects? | Same | Same | Same |
| Simultaneous? | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Other notes | Does not follow momentary verbs | Usually for a structured situation, something done “on the side” while you work a job or hold a formal position | The secondary purpose should include a movement verb |
Ready to practice what you’ve learned? Check out these ながら transcribed nagara vs. かたわら transcribed katawara vs. がてら transcribed gatera exercises! Happy learning!
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