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hanamaru

Do two things at the same time (ながら)

Attach ながら to a verb stem to show that you are performing that secondary action while doing the main action that follows.

JLPTN5
[verb stem] + ながら[verb stem] + nagara

Simultaneous actions: do X while doing Y

When doing two things at the same time, attach 〜ながら (nagara) to the ます-stem (masu-stem) of the secondary background action, followed by the main focal verb:

  • 音楽を 聞きながら 勉強します(おんがくを ききながら べんきょうします) (I study while listening to music)
  • コーヒーを 飲みながら 本を 読みます(コーヒーを のみながら ほんを よみます) (I read a book while drinking coffee)
  • 歩きながら 話しましょう(あるきながら はなしましょう) (Let's talk while walking)

The main action is always the verb at the very end of the sentence. Both actions must be performed by the exact same subject.

Tips and Common Traps