Kumi logo
    Kumi

    Learn Japanese. Where understanding folds into fluency.

    Dictionary

    KanjiKanji vocabularyKana vocabularyKanaRadicalsGrammarJLPT N5

    Learn

    GuidesStart where you areWhat is KMT?RoadmapFAQ

    Connect

    EmailDiscordInstagramThreadsTikTokYouTubeLinkedInBlueskyX

    Newsletter

    Start learning free →

    Free forever tier. No card required.

    © 2026 Kumiai Inc. All rights reserved.

    AboutFAQContactStatusPrivacyTermsAttributions
    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜かたわら / 〜傍ら

    〜かたわら / 〜傍ら

    〜かたわら / 〜傍ら

    You use this when you do two big things at the same time. One is your main activity. The other is a second important activity.

    N1KMT8FormalStandardCompound ParticleMixedOlder SpeakersCompound Simultaneity And OpportunityGrammar

    Verb [dictionary form] + かたわらPrimary
    Noun + の + かたわら

    You use this when you do two big things at the same time. One is your main activity. The other is a second important activity.

    彼かれは大だい学がくで教きょう鞭べんをとるかたわら、小しょう説せつ家かとしても活かつ動どうしている。

    While teaching at a university, he is also active as a novelist.

    FormalProgressiveAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeWork & CareerLiterature
    母ははは主しゅ婦ふ業ぎょうのかたわら、地ち域いきのボランティア活かつ動どうに熱ねっ心しんだった。

    While handling her duties as a homemaker, my mother was also devoted to local volunteer activities.

    FormalPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & RelationshipsDaily Life
    彼かれは会かい社しゃ経けい営えいに携たずさわるかたわら、慈じ善ぜん活かつ動どうへの協きょう力りょくも怠おこたらない。

    While being involved in managing a company, he does not neglect his cooperation in charitable activities.

    FormalNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeBusiness & FinanceWork & Career
    夏なつ目め漱そう石せきは英えい語ご教きょう師しを務つとめるかたわら、『吾わが輩はいは猫ねこである』を執しっ筆ぴつした。

    While working as an English teacher, Natsume Soseki wrote 'I Am a Cat'.

    NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeLiteratureHistoryEducation
    彼かの女じょはモデルとして活かつ躍やくするかたわら、自じ身しんのファッションブランドも立たち上あげている。

    While being successful as a model, she is also launching her own fashion brand.

    FormalProgressiveAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFashion & BeautyBusiness & Finance

    This phrase sounds very formal. It is like something you read in a book or hear in a speech. It often shows respect for someone doing two big things at once.

    This is different from 'nagara'. 'Nagara' is for doing two things at the same time, like walking and listening to music. This is also different from 'tsuide ni'. 'Tsuide ni' is for doing a small extra task when you are already doing something else. It is also not like 'gatera'. 'Gatera' means one action has two goals. 'Katawara' means you do two big, separate things over a long time.

    Don't use this when the two actions are short. For example, you cannot say "While going to the station, I bought juice." The person doing both actions must be the same.

    Contrasts with(8)

    〜ながら

    This grammar shows two actions happening at the same time. You do one thing while you do another. The second action is the main one.

    〜ついでに

    This means you do a second thing when you are already doing a first thing. You use the chance to do something extra. It is like saying 'while you are at it'.

    〜がてら

    This grammar means you do two things at once. You do a second thing because the first thing makes it easy to do.

    〜かたがた

    You do two things at once. One main thing, and another thing too. It is a formal way to say "while also doing...".

    〜際に

    This means 'when' or 'at the time of something'. You use it for important or special events. It is a more polite way to say 'toki'.

    〜折に

    This phrase means 'when' or 'at the time of'. You use it for a special moment when something else happens.

    〜をかねて

    This means you do one thing, but it has two or more uses. It's like doing two jobs at once.

    〜と相まって(とあいまって)

    This means things work together. They make a bigger or stronger result. It's like 'together with'.

    More formal alternatives(6)

    〜ながら

    This grammar shows two actions happening at the same time. You do one thing while you do another. The second action is the main one.

    〜ついでに

    This means you do a second thing when you are already doing a first thing. You use the chance to do something extra. It is like saying 'while you are at it'.

    〜がてら

    This grammar means you do two things at once. You do a second thing because the first thing makes it easy to do.

    〜際に

    This means 'when' or 'at the time of something'. You use it for important or special events. It is a more polite way to say 'toki'.

    〜折に

    This phrase means 'when' or 'at the time of'. You use it for a special moment when something else happens.

    〜をかねて

    This means you do one thing, but it has two or more uses. It's like doing two jobs at once.

    Less formal alternatives(1)

    〜と相まって(とあいまって)

    This means things work together. They make a bigger or stronger result. It's like 'together with'.

    辞書形

    This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

    〜だ / 〜だった

    This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

    Kumi logo

    Track your mastery

    Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

    Related concepts for this entry

    more_formal_than

    • 〜ながら
    • 〜ついでに
    • 〜がてら
    • 〜際に
    • 〜折に
    • 〜をかねて

    contrasts_with

    • 〜かたがた

    prerequisite

    • 辞書形
    • 〜だ / 〜だった

    less_formal_than

    • 〜と相まって(とあいまって)

    Similar concepts

    • 〜を兼ねて(をかねて)

    Explore more

    Grammar dictionary›Browse all entries›