〜ながら~nagara

How it works

1. 

   Look at the picture: what else is she doing while cheering for her friend? Join the two actions with ながら.

2. 

   The two colored bars overlap: both actions happen at the same time, rather than one after the other.

3. 

   She does both the cheering and the photo-taking. The actions before and after ながら must have the same person doing them.

4. 

   Remove ます from the verb’s ます-form, then add ながら: します→しながら.

5. 

   The example focuses on taking photos. The action after ながら is the main action; cheering happens alongside it.

6. 

   The photos were taken in the past, so the sentence ends with 撮りました. The earlier しながら stays the same.

Example sentences

• 友達ともだちtomodachiをo応援おうえんouenしshiながら、nagara、写真しゃしんshashinをo撮りました。とりました。torimashita。

  I took photos while cheering for my friend.

  AI practiceTeacher
• AI practiceTeacher

In a conversation

• A
  何なにをしながら歩いあるいているのですか。

  A: What are you doing while walking?

  AI practiceTeacher
• B
  放送ほうそうを聴きききながら、
  AI practiceTeacher

Check yourself

1. Level 1 · Recognise

   Which sentence is correct?

   A開催の準備をしながら、中止になる可能性も考えます。B開催の準備をしてながら、中止になる可能性も考えます。C開催の準備をするながら、中止になる可能性も考えます。D開催の準備をしながらで、中止になる可能性も考えます。

2. Level 1 · Recognise

   Listen and choose the meaning

   AWhile preparing for the event, I also consider the possibility that it may be canceled.BWhile arranging the necessary items, I check the starting time.CWhile contacting the participants, I am checking the condition of the venue.DWhile helping at reception, I am keeping an eye on the movement of the rain clouds.

3. Level 2 · Build

   Put the words in order

   I read the documents while checking the instructions.

   読みます。書類を注意事項をながら、ながらを、確かめ
   Check

4. Level 3 · Use

   What goes in the blank?

   友達を応援____、写真を撮りました。

   I took photos while cheering for my friend.

   Show answer

More grammar in this theme

• 〜ながらtwo actions happening together

Keep practising