Japatan
Formation
- Vます形 + ながらも
- いA + ながらも
- なA + ながらも
- N + ながらも
Explanation
A ながらも B means 'although A, B,' where B does not match what A suggests. ながら alone can mean 'although,' but adding も makes the contrast clear. The subject of both halves is usually the same, and A is usually a state (small, inconvenient, a child, knowing). It is often used to admit a weak point and then state a good point.
Examples
狭いながらも、自分の家を持てたことがうれしい。
Though it's small, I'm happy that I could get a house of my own.
彼は文句を言いながらも、最後まで手伝ってくれた。
Although he complained, he helped me until the end.
子どもながらも、彼女の意見はしっかりしていた。
Though she was only a child, her opinion was well thought out.
不便ながらも、山の暮らしには都会にない楽しさがある。
Although it's inconvenient, life in the mountains has pleasures the city doesn't.
Notes
Unlike ながら for simultaneous actions, ながらも only expresses contrast. With verbs, it is usually used with verbs expressing states, feelings or attitudes, such as 知る (know), 思う (think) and 文句を言う (complain).
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1体に悪いと知り（ ）、つい夜遅くまでスマホを見てしまう。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 ながらも
"Although I know it's bad for me, I end up looking at my phone late into the night." つつある (in the process of), かけて (half-done) and きって (completely) do not fit.
2この店は小さい（ ）、ケーキがおいしいと評判だ。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 ながらも
"Though this shop is small, it is known for its delicious cakes." だけに, ばかりに and ものだから express reasons, so they do not fit.
3「ながらも」の使い方がいちばん正しい文はどれですか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 貧しいながらも、家族で楽しく暮らしている。
2 means "Though we are poor, our family lives happily." 1 describes two actions at once (use ながら), 残念ながら in 3 is a set phrase for bad news and clashes with 勝った, and in 4 there is no real contrast.
