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While (besides; primary vs secondary)
Definition
The grammar pattern "名詞 + の / 動詞辞書形 + かたわら" is used to describe someone who performs two different roles or activities concurrently over a period of time. This pattern highlights the primary and secondary aspects of a person's life, often used to convey a sense of balance or duality. For instance, it can describe someone who works as a company employee (main job) while also writing novels (secondary interest). The nuance of this pattern lies in its ability to convey the coexistence of multiple roles or activities, rather than a temporary or spatial relationship.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | 名詞 + の | 会社員 |
| Verb in dictionary form | 動詞辞書形 + かたわら | 執筆 |
| Noun | 名詞 + の | 家事 |
Examples
彼は会社員として働くかたわら、小説を執筆している。
Kare wa kaisha-in to shite hataraku katawara, shōsetsu o seikatsu shite iru.
He works as a company employee while writing novels.
彼は (he) 会社員 (company employee) として (as) 働く (work) かたわら (while) 小説 (novels) を (to) 執筆 (write) している (is writing).
家事のかたわら、ボランティア活動にも励んでいる。
Kaji no katawara, borantia-kyōdō ni mo hikō shite iru.
Besides household chores, he is also actively involved in volunteer activities.
家事の (household chores) かたわら (while) ボランティア活動 (volunteer activities) に (to) も (also) 努めて (actively involved) いる (is).
本業のかたわら、週末は農業を手伝っている。
Hon-yū no katawara, shūmatsu wa nōgyō o te o tsukau.
Besides his main job, he helps with agriculture on weekends.
本業の (main job) かたわら (while) 週末 (weekends) は (on) 農業 (agriculture) を (to) 手伝って (helps) いる (is).
Context
This pattern is used to describe a person's dual roles or activities over a period of time. It is often used in formal or written Japanese. Be cautious not to confuse it with the spatial meaning of 'katawara' (beside/next to).
Watch out
This pattern is used to describe concurrent activities over a period of time, not momentary actions. Use ～ながら or ～がてら for momentary actions.
The spatial meaning of 'katawara' (beside/next to) is different from the temporal meaning used in this pattern. Be careful not to confuse the two.
Make sure to identify the primary and secondary roles or activities correctly. The main role is usually the one that is more prominent or time-consuming.
Strategy
In the JLPT N1 exam, this pattern may appear in reading comprehension or listening sections. Be prepared to identify the primary and secondary roles or activities, and understand the nuance of the pattern.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 名詞 + の / 動詞辞書形 + かたわら used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
彼は会社員として働くかたわら、小説を執筆している。
Pattern used: かたわら
～かたわら is used for balancing two ongoing major activities or roles.
家事のかたわら、ボランティア活動にも励んでいる。
Pattern used: かたわら
Balancing housework and volunteering over time is expressed by ～かたわら.
本業のかたわら、週末は農業を手伝っている。
Pattern used: かたわら
～かたわら emphasizes the distinct nature of the two ongoing roles/jobs.
Interactive
彼は会社員として働く______、小説を執筆している。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.