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［stem］+ ながら(も)
［い］Adjective + ながら(も)
［な］Adjective + ながら(も)
Noun + ながら(も)

Details

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Standard
Rare Kanji
乍ら

About ながらも

ながらも is a combination of the conjunction particle ながら, and the 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 conjunctive form of verbs.

ながらも is used to highlight a thing that comes after the existing state of (A) 'そのままで後(あと)に続(つづ)く事(こと)'. Due to this, ながらも may only be used with verbs that highlight states of existence (like feelings), rather than ongoing actions.

Examples

--:--

すこし狭(せま)い乍(なが)らも楽(たの)しい我(わ)が家(いえ)。

Although it is a bit small, it is a happy home. (even while)

「やらなきゃいけない」と思(おも)い乍(なが)らもダラダラしてしまう。

Despite thinking 'I have to do it', I just end up idling around. (even while)

不本意(ふほんい)乍(なが)らも、従(したが)うしかない。

Although I am unwilling, I have no other choice but to obey. (even while)

足(あし)を引(ひ)きずり乍(なが)らも、マラソンを完走(かんそう)しました。

Despite my legs turning to jelly, I finished the marathon. (even while)

良(よ)くないと知(し)ってい乍(なが)らも、注意(ちゅうい)することができませんでした。

Despite knowing that it was not right, I just couldn't warn them. (even while)

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Online
- ～ながら（も）
  JPNESE_GRAMMAR
- Further breakdown and example sentences
  JapaneseTest4You
- Using 「ながら」 with state-of-being
  Tae Kim

Offline
- [AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
  Page 248
- A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar
  Page 199
- Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
  Page 293
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ながらも – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

Daru
You can click on ながら to get a quick look at this info!
stephane
I am confused by this lesson because of the も written between parenthesis while there is no mention or example of the case without も in the lesson.

If I am not mistaken using ながら in this lesson’s definition (even while, but etc… not the “while” grammar point) is very common without も, I suspect it is actually much more common but I am not sure. take " 残念ながら、" for example which is extremely common, but I have heared full sentences quite a few times as well.

So I am questioning what the importance of も is,
Is the も version more common in written language ? more polite ?
Is this form as common in spoken language ?
Any input on that ?
CroAniki
Bumping this