The verb suffix 〜ながら is used in Japanese to indicate that two actions are happening simultaneously, or at the same time. It translates to while or as in English and is often used to express doing one thing while doing another.
To use 〜ながら, you attach it to the stem of the first verb (the verb that indicates the action happening in the background), and the second action (the main one) follows in its normal form. 〜ながら is typically used with two actions performed by the same subject.
Formation
- Take the masu-stem of the verb (i.e., the verb without the final ます).
- Attach 〜ながら to this stem.
- The second action follows as a full verb form.
I eat while watching TV. | テレビ を 見ながら、 ご飯 を 食べます。terebi o minagara, gohan o tabemasu. |
I study while listening to music. | 音楽 を 聞きながら 勉強します。ongaku o kikinagara benkyoushimasu. |
Let’s talk while walking. | 歩きながら 話しましょう。arukinagara hanashimashou. |
I read a book while riding the train. | 電車 に 乗りながら 本 を 読む。densha ni norinagara hon o yomu. |
I sing while taking a shower. | シャワー を 浴びながら 歌います。shawaa o abinagara utaimasu. |
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