Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 3: 5/17

ながら + に

While being, Born (with), Traditional (old-fashioned, as it was long ago), As always, While crying or in tears, (Burned) alive

Structure

Verb[ます+ ながら(に)
Noun + ながら(に)
Verb[ます+ ながら + + Noun
Noun (A) + ながら + + Noun (B)
()きる → ()ながら(にして)
()まれる → ()まれながら(にして)
(むかし)(むかし)ながら
いつも → いつもながら
毎回(まいかい)毎回(まいかい)ながら
(なみだ)(なみだ)ながらに
()(いき)()(いき)ながら
いる → いながら(にして)

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • Rare Kanji

    乍ら

About ながらに

When combined with the case-marking particle に, ながら 'while' as a suffix will indicate that something remains in the state of (A), while also having or doing (B). This can be translated as 'while being (A), (B)', or '(A) as always (B)'.

ながらに will be seen following nouns, or verbs in their stem form. Additionally, して may be added to the end of に, without any change to the nuance.

ながらに is a structure that has many potential translations in English, but the key point to remember is that (B) is something that is being highlighted as happening or existing in same state as (A) in an unchanged state. This doesn't necessarily mean at the same time. For example, in the case of ()まれながらに, it can be translated as '(B) has existed since birth', but what it really means is that 'while being in the state of (A), (B) is still there'.

Caution

ながらに tends to only be used with a limited set of words, so it is best not to use it with structures that you have not already seen at some point in the past.

Examples

--:--

    コウタはカエデからの手紙(てがみ)()()りつつ、(なみだ)ながらに(よろこ)んだ。

    While crying with joy, Kouta held the letter from Kaede in his hands. (in tears)

    いつもながらあなたたちと(はな)すのは(たの)しいですよ。

    It is a pleasure to talk with you, as always.

    ()きながら()かれるところだった。

    She was almost burned alive. (while alive)

    料理(りょうり)レシピサイト:「(むかし)ながらのオムライスの(つく)(かた)簡単(かんたん)()かりやすい動画(どうが)紹介(しょうかい)しています。」

    A site with cooking recipes: 'With this simple and easy-to-understand video, we will introduce a traditional omuraisu recipe.' (as it was long ago)

    テレワークというのは(いえ)()ながら(はたら)くということだ。

    Telework means to work while being at home.

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