Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 8: 11/22

ながらも
but, even while, even though, despite, although

Unlike ながら 、ながら(も) is preceded only by verbs that express state

Structure
Verb[ます+ ながら()
[い]Adjective + ながら()
[な]Adjective + ながら()
Noun + ながら()
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
乍ら
Information
ながらも is a combination of the 接続助詞(せつぞくじょし) (conjunction particle) ながら, and the 副助詞(ふくじょし) (adverbial particle) も. Coming from the kanji 乍(なが)ら, with the meaning of ‘while’, ながら almost always keeps this nuance. Because of this, ながらも can be translated as ‘even while (A), (B)’, or ‘although (A), also (B)’.
ながらも usually expresses surprise at the coexistence of (A) and (B), and may be used after い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives, nouns, or the 連用形(れんようけい) (conjunctive form) of verbs.
  • 才能(さいのう)持(も)ちながらも、彼(かれ)は色々(いろいろ)努力(どりょく)した。
    Although he is talented, he worked hard in many aspects.
  • 彼女(かのじょ)は悲(かな)しみながらも、笑顔(えがお)友達(ともだち)話(はな)しました。
    Even while she was upset, she talked with her friends with a smile on her face.
  • 彼(かれ)はカレーが嫌(きら)いながらも、我慢(がまん)して間食(かんしょく)しました。
    Although he does not like curry, he gritted his teeth and ate the whole thing.
  • 私達(わたしたち)は貧乏(びんぼう)ながらも、仲(なか)がいい
    Although we are broke, we have a good relationship.
ながらも is used to highlight そのままで後(あと)に続(つづ)く事(こと) ‘a thing that comes after the existing state of (A)’. Due to this, ながらも may only be used with verbs that highlight states of existence (like feelings), rather than ongoing actions.
  • こんなことしちゃだめと思(おも)いながらもやってしまった。 (Action)
    Even while I thought to myself, 'I shouldn't do something like this,' I did it.
  • 緊張(きんちょう)しながらも、初(はじ)めて舞台(ぶたい)歌(うた)えた。 (Feeling)
    Although I was nervous, I was able to sing at my first concert.
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お金(かね)沢山(たくさん)持(も)ちながらも彼(かれ)幸(しあわ)せではないらしい。
Despite having a lot of money, I heard that he isn't happy.
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文法(ぶんぽう)勉強(べんきょう)をしなければいけないと知(し)っていながらも、遊(あそ)んでしまう。
Despite knowing that I have to study grammar, I still unfortunately goof off.
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緊張(きんちょう)ながらも、300人(にん)前(まえ)で発表(はっぴょう)をした。
Despite being nervous, I gave a presentation in front of 300 people.
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Books
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 293
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 248