Japatan
Formation
- Vます形 + ながら
Explanation
A ながら B means that one person does two actions at the same time. B, the verb at the end, is the main action, and A is what the person is doing along with it. Tense and negation are shown only on the final verb. It is also used for two things continued over a long period, as in 働きながら大学で勉強しています (I study at university while working).
Examples
音楽を 聞きながら、宿題を します。
I do my homework while listening to music.
歩きながら スマホを 見ては いけません。
You must not look at your phone while walking.
コーヒーを 飲みながら、少し 話しませんか。
Shall we talk a little over coffee?
兄は 働きながら、夜 大学で 勉強して います。
My older brother studies at university at night while working.
Notes
Both actions must be done by the same person (not 母が料理をしながら、私はテレビを見ました). The verb before ながら should be an action that continues for some time, such as 歩く or 聞く.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1父は いつも 新聞を （ ）ながら、朝ご飯を 食べます。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 読み
"My father always eats breakfast while reading the newspaper." ながら attaches to the ます-stem of a verb: 読みます → 読み → 読みながら. It cannot follow the dictionary form, the て-form or the た-form.
2正しい 文は どれですか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 歌を 歌いながら、シャワーを 浴びます。
2 is correct: "I take a shower while singing." One person does both actions. In 1 the two actions are done by different people (my mother and I), so ながら cannot be used. 3 and 4 have the wrong form; ながら follows the ます-stem: 聞きながら, 見ながら.
3私は よく ＿＿ ＿＿ ＿★＿ ＿＿。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 ながら
The correct order is 3→4→1→2: 私は よく 音楽を 聞きながら 散歩します (I often take a walk while listening to music). ながら comes right after the ます-stem 聞き, and the main action 散歩します comes at the end.
