ながら (nagara)

Meaning & usage

ながら expresses that one action happens during the time another action is happening, with the ながら action as the background activity and the main verb as the focus. Attach it to the verb masu-stem after dropping ます, as in 見ながら, 飲みながら, and 読みながら. Both actions are done by the same person at the same time, so avoid using it when subjects differ or when the background action is completed before the main action starts.

Example sentences 8

1. テレビを見みながら勉強べんきょうしてはいけませんよ。

   Don't study while watching TV.

2. 手本を見ながら習字をしました。

   I practiced calligraphy by looking at examples.

3. テレビを見ながらごはんを食べました。

   I ate dinner while watching TV.

4. お茶を飲みながら話しましょう。

   Let's talk over a cup of tea, shall we?

5. 私たちはコーヒーを飲みながらおしゃべりをした。

   We had a chat over a cup of coffee.

6. お茶を飲みながら話しませんか。

   Let's talk over a cup of tea, shall we?

7. お茶でも飲みながら待とう。

   Let's drink tea or some other beverage while waiting.

8. 本を読みながら食事をしてはいけません。

   Don't eat while reading.