When you want to describe something that happens “while” something else happens in Japanese, you’ll usually use 〜ながら[nagara], 〜かたわら[katawara] or 〜がてら[gatera]. They’re all often translated as “while” but they’re a bit different:
〜ながら[nagara] is used when you want to say that two actions truly happen simultaneously, at the exact same time.
〜かたわら[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[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!
In Japanese, 〜ながら[nagara] is often the first way you’ll learn to say “while.”
Ongoing Action + ながら[nagara]
While doing this...
Simultaneous Action
…someone does this at the same time.
音楽を聴きながら勉強します。
Ongaku o kikinagara benkyō shimasu.
While listening to music, I study.
In this use, ながら[nagara] is attached to the masu stem of a verb, which is the polite form with the 〜ます[-masu] ending removed.
Dictionary form | 聴く kiku to listen |
|---|---|
Polite form | 聴きます kikimasu to listen (polite) |
With ながら[nagara] | 聴きながら kikinagara while listening |
Here are some notes about how and when to use this form of “while.”
The of each action should be the same. So you wouldn’t use ながら[nagara] to say “I read a book while he was cooking”.
Never use ながら[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[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.
The 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[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!
In Japanese, we use かたわら[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[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[no] between the noun and かたわら[katawara].
The action done “on the side” will often be marked by the particle も[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!
レストランで働くかたわら, 料理のブログも書いている。
Resutoran de hataraku katawara, ryōri no burogu mo kaite iru.
Alongside working at a restaurant, I also write a cooking blog.
大学で勉強するかたわら、 アルバイトもしている。
Daigaku de benkyō suru katawara, arubaito mo shiteiru.
While studying at a college, I also work part-time.
会社員のかたわら、 英会話のクラスもとっている。
Kaisha in no katawara, eikaiwa no kurasu mo totte iru.
While being an office worker, I also take English conversation classes.
What if someone is doing more than one thing “on the side”? In that case you can use かたわら[katawara] after the main activity, and link the other two with 〜たり[ta ri].
林さんは、歌手として活躍するかたわら、モデルをしたり、絵を描いたりもしている。
Hayashi-san wa, kashu toshite katsuyaku suru katawara, moderu o shitari, e o kaitari mo shiteiru.
While working as a singer, Ms. Hayashi also models and draws pictures.
Here are some points that can help you pick between using かたわら[katawara] rather than ながら[nagara].
かたわら[katawara]CANNOT be used for simultaneous actions.
As mentioned earlier, ながら[nagara] is used for two actions that someone does simultaneously. You can’t use かたわら[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。
Abunai node, aruki nagara, keitai o tsukawanaide kudasai.
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。
Abunai node, aruku katawara, keitai denwa o tsukawanaide kudasai.
かたわら[katawara] is more formal than ながら[nagara].
かたわら[katawara] sounds formal and bookish than whereas ながら[nagara], which can be used in both casual and formal settings.
かたわら[katawara] sounds like a more structured situation.
You’ll often use かたわら[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.
✅ レストランで働くかたわら、料理のブログも書いている。
Resutoran de hataraku katawara, ryōri no burogu mo kaite iru.
Alongside working at a restaurant, I also write a cooking blog.
You can also use ながら[nagara] with these sorts of long-term actions, but when you use it sounds less structured.
✅ レストランで働きながら、料理のブログも書いている。
Resutoran de hatarakinagara, ryōri no burogu mo kaite iru.
I work at a restaurant, and also write a cooking blog.
You can use がてら[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[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[-masu] ending removed)
友達を駅に迎えに行きがてら、新しいデパートに行く。
Tomodachi o eki ni mukae ni iki gatera, atarashii depāto ni iku.
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[no] after the noun!
散歩がてら、買い物に出かけた。
Sanpo gatera, kaimono ni dekaketa.
While out on a walk, I went shopping.
Here are some other things to keep in mind, when you use this construction:
The 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
iku
to go
来る
kuru
to come
出かける
dekakeru
to go out
歩く
aruku
to walk
When you use がてら[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。
Kaimono gatera, ginkō ni yotta.
While shopping, I stopped by the bank.
In everyday conversation, most people will use ついでに[tsuideni] instead of がてら[gatera]. This ending has the same meaning, but it is attached, instead, to the dictionary form of a verb.
友達を駅に迎えに行くついでに、新しいデパートに行く。
Tomodachi o eki ni mukae ni iku tuideni, atarashii depāto ni iku.
While going to the station to pick up my friend, I’ll visit the new department store.
Although がてら[gatera] and 〜ながら[nagara] are both are often translated as “while,” they’re used in quite different situations.
がてら[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[nagara], since がてら[gatera] is only used in situations where someone switches between two actions.
がてら[gatera] is used to add an additional purpose to an action.
がてら[gatera] is used to describe a secondary purpose for an outing.
運動がてら、会社まで歩いた。
Undō gatera, kaisha made aruita.
I walked to the company office to get some exercise.
lit. While exercising, I walked to the company office.
If you use ながら[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。
Ongaku o kikinagara, kaisha made aruita.
I walked to the company office while listening to music.
がてら[gatera] is usually followed by movement verbs.
When you use がてら[gatera], the “added” activity will almost always be described using a movement verb. On the other hand, ながら[nagara] doesn’t have this restriction, so you can use it with any kind of action.
Remember, がてら[gatera] is old-fashioned!
If you find yourself wanting to use がてら[gatera] in a less formal conversation, replace it with ついでに[tuideni]!
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[nagara] | かたわら[katawara] | がてら[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[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[nagara] vs. かたわら[katawara] vs. がてら[gatera] exercises! Happy learning!
