Skip to main content
All Japanese activities

Activities: "How to say “while” in Japanese?"

By: Masaru Mito

Activity 1: Reception

As an MC for a reception, you need to introduce the following people as guest speakers. Complete the following sentences with the given words, appropriately changing the form if necessary.

  1. 所属する transcribed shozoku surumeaning to be affiliated; to belong →

    田中さんは、研究室にかたわら、テレビ番組にもよく出演していらっしゃいます。
    Tanaka-san wa, kenkyūshitsu ni ___ katawara, terebi bangumi ni mo yoku shutsuen shite irasshai masu.
    Mr. Tanaka often appears on TV programs while being affiliated with a research lab.

  2. 成功する transcribed seikō surumeaning to achieve success →

    林さんは、作家としてかたわら、ボランティアにも積極的に参加していらっしゃいます。
    Hayashi-san wa, sakka toshite ___ katawara, borantia ni mo sekkyokuteki ni sanka shite irasshai masu.
    Ms. Hayashi actively participates in volunteer work while achieving success as a writer.

  3. 仕事 transcribed shigotomeaning work →

    山田さんは、かたわら、趣味も楽しんでいらっしゃいます。
    Yamada-san wa, ___ katawara, shumi mo tanoshinde irasshai masu..
    Mr. Yamada enjoys his hobbies alongside his work.

  4. 医者 transcribed ishameaning doctor →

    南さんは、かたわら、写真家としても有名です。
    Minami-san wa, ___ katawara, shashinka toshite mo yūmei desu.
    Dr. Minami is also famous as a photographer while being a doctor.

Activity 2: Blog post

The following sentences are part of the blog you’re writing. Fill in the blanks with the given words, appropriately changing the form if necessary.

  1. 行く transcribed ikumeaning to go →

    駅にがてら、近くのカフェに寄った。
    Eki ni ___ gatera, chikaku no kafe ni yotta.
    While (using the time of) going to the station, I stopped by a nearby cafe.

  2. 観光する transcribed kankō surumeaning to sightsee →

    京都をがてら、友達に会いに行った。
    Kyōto o ___ gatera, tomodachi ni ai ni itta.
    While (using the time of) sightseeing in Kyoto, I went to see my friends.

  3. ジョギング transcribed jogingumeaning jogging →

    がてら、公園の桜を見に行った。
    ___ gatera, kōen no sakura o mi ni itta.
    While (using the time of) jogging, I went to see the cherry blossoms in the park.

  4. ドライブ transcribed doraibumeaning going for a drive →

    がてら、海まで行った。
    ___ gatera, umi made itta.
    While (using the time of) going for a drive, I went to the sea.

Activity 3: Choose the right form

Select the appropriate one in the parentheses.

  1. 父は、毎日新聞を ( ・ ) 、コーヒーを飲んでいる。 Chichi wa, mainichi shinbun o ( yomi nagara / yomu katawara ), kōhī o nonde iru. Every day, my dad drinks coffee while reading the newspaper.

  2. 友達と話し ( ・ ) 、学校に行った。 Tomodachi to hanashi ( nagara / gatera ), gakkō ni itta. I went to school, chatting with friends.

  3. 休憩 ( ・ ) 、カフェに行こう。 Kyūkei ( shi nagara / gatera ), chotto kafe ni ikō. Let's go to a cafe to take a break.

  4. 彼は、会社員として ( ・ ) 、親の介護もしている。 Kare wa, kaishain toshite ( hataraku katawara / hataraki gatera ), oya no kaigo mo shiteiru. He takes care of his parents while working as an office worker.