かたわら
🃏 Flashcard
かたわら
katawara
Tap to reveal usage
while; at the same time; in addition
N1
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
katawara
Post ID
51241
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
while; at the same time; in addition
📖 How to use it
Expresses doing something alongside another main activity, often with a sense of balance or dual commitment.
Attaches to
Attaches to the dictionary form of a verb or the stem of a する-verb (e.g., 働くかたわら, 勉強のかたわら). For nouns, use の (e.g., 仕事のかたわら).
This pattern indicates that someone does something in addition to their main activity, often implying a long-term or habitual secondary pursuit. It is similar to 'while doing' but carries a nuance of parallel dedication. For example, a person might work at a company while also studying for a degree. The main activity is usually the primary focus, and the secondary one is done alongside it. It is formal and primarily used in written Japanese, such as articles, reports, or formal speeches. In conversation, you would more likely use ながら or 一方で.
彼は会社に勤めるかたわら、小説を書いている。
Kare wa kaisha ni tsutomeru katawara, shōsetsu o kaite iru.
He writes novels while working at a company.
彼女は子育てのかたわら、大学院で研究を続けている。
Kanojo wa kosodate no katawara, daigakuin de kenkyū o tsuzukete iru.
She continues her research at graduate school while raising children.
医師として働くかたわら、ボランティア活動にも参加している。
Ishi to shite hataraku katawara, borantia katsudō ni mo sanka shite iru.
While working as a doctor, he also participates in volunteer activities.
Not ながら
ながら describes simultaneous actions by the same person, often with the secondary action being less important (e.g., 音楽を聞きながら勉強する). かたわら implies two distinct activities of similar weight, often with a time frame spanning months or years, and is more formal.
Register
Formal and primarily written; used in essays, news, and formal reports, not in casual conversation.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
かたわら
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat かたわら three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using かたわら. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns
← Previous
かたがた
while; at the same time; incidentally ~
Next →
かつて
once; before; formerly; former; ex-
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern かたわら mean?
▼
While; at the same time; in addition
What JLPT level is かたわら?
▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use かたわら in a sentence?
▼
Attach かたわら (katawara) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is かたわら formal or casual Japanese?
▼
かたわら is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember かたわら long-term?
▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.