Let's talk using "Nagara"! / Japanese Learning Support LLC
Let's try speaking using "while doing something"!
Do you ever do two things at the same time?
for example,
Listen to music while studying...
When singing karaoke, I dance along...
That's right, when you go somewhere for the first time, you look at a map while walking!
In that case, you can say this!
I study while listening to music.
I sing while dancing.
I walk while looking at the map.
This time, we will introduce the grammar "while doing something."
Let's take a quick look at what the grammar is.
Today's Menu
1. The meaning and usage of "while"
2. Try using it in conversation!
1. The meaning of "while"
First, let's look at some example sentences.
Sample1 I study while listening to music.
Sample2: Driving while listening to the radio.
Sample3 I explained while showing the diagram.
Sample4 I walked while looking at the map.
In this way, "A while B" is used when actions A and B are performed simultaneously, that is, at the same time.
Fill in the A and B parts with verbs.
The form of verb A before "nagara" is the "masu form" without the "masu" part.
Listen → Listen → While listening
I look → I see → I look
do → shi → while
It looks like this.
It can be used in many other sentences besides the examples above.
Sample5 It's dangerous to drive while looking at your cell phone.
Sample 6: Do not write this composition while looking at a dictionary.
Sample7 I was eating while watching TV, and the rice got cold.
Sample8 When you run, try imagining a good form that will allow you to run fast.
This can also be used to give warnings or advice.
★Things to be careful of when using "while"★
You may have noticed from the example sentences that in "while" sentences, the first and second verbs must be actions taken by the same person.
✖ I watched TV while Tanaka ate dinner.
While I was cooking, the cat was sleeping.
I ate dinner while watching TV.
Make sure the subject is the same person!
There is one more thing to note, but before I tell you, I'll give you a quiz.
"I study while listening to music."
A B
The grammar is that verb A and verb B are used at the same time, but if you reverse A and B,
"I listen to music while I study."
Is that possible?
Do the verbs A and B have the same meaning even if you reverse the forward and backward conjugations?
No, they are not the same.
This may seem like a minor rule, but there is actually an order to the verbs that go in place of A and the verbs that go in place of B.
You may have heard somewhere that in Japanese sentences, the most important thing often comes at the end.
That's right. Even in "while" sentences, the main action is placed at the end (at B).
Let's look at the example from earlier.
Listen to music and study
When you think about these two actions, "I will study" is usually the main one.
Therefore, the order "I study while listening to music" sounds natural.
In addition to the example sentences mentioned above, there are other ways to use it:
Sample10 I am studying Japanese while working part-time.
Sample11 I work at a computer company and do volunteer work once a week.
These two sentences do not actually show two actions happening right now, but they can also be used to show that two actions are happening or being repeated over a certain period of time.
Therefore, it is often used when talking about work, study, hobbies, etc.
2. Try using it in conversation!
Let's practice by creating some conversations to see what situations you can use "while doing something" in!
The answer is at the bottom of this blog.
example)
A: ( Looks at smartphone, gets on bike ) That's dangerous!
B: Yes, I'll be careful.
→A: ( Riding a bicycle while looking at your smartphone ) That's dangerous!
B: Yes, I'll be careful.
Scene 1
A: I've been working out at home lately, but I'm not losing weight very easily.
B: ( Sing and exercise ) would be even better.
A: That's right! I'll try it!
Scene 2
A: Can B ( sing, play the piano )?
B: No, you can't.
Scene 3
A: ( listen to the radio or study )?
B: No, I study in a quiet place because it helps me concentrate better.
Scene 4
A: Do you often read newspapers?
B: Yes, I do it every morning ( read the newspaper and eat breakfast ).
A: I see.
Scene 5
A: You seem to be busy lately.
B: Yes, I work part-time at a restaurant (study Japanese ).
A: I see. Good luck.
Scene 6
A: Mr. B, how old are your children?
B: 5 years old.
A: It's still small!
B: Yes, it's hard ( to work and raise children ).
A: That's right.
3. Summary
How was it?
Are you starting to understand how to use "nagara"?
Taking a walk while listening to music, or chatting over tea...
There are only good things about "while doing something else."
However, it's not okay to drive while doing something else! This is called "distracted driving," and the police strictly warn against it.
Everyone please be careful.
That's all for today!
See you in the next blog!
answer
Scene 1 I think it would be better if you exercise while singing.
Scene 2: Can B play the piano while singing?
Situation 3 Do you study while listening to the radio?
Scene 4: Yes. I read the newspaper every morning while eating breakfast.
Scene 5: Yes, I'm currently working and studying Japanese every night.
Scene 6 Yes, it's hard to work and raise children at the same time.
