JLPT N2 Grammar
· Upper Intermediate
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· Upper Intermediate
While doing (at the same time as main job)
Category: Simultaneous & Purpose
The grammar pattern "動詞辞書形 ＋ かたわら / 名詞 ＋ の ＋ かたわら" is used to describe a person who carries out two major activities or roles over a period of time. It emphasizes the simultaneous nature of these activities, highlighting the person's dual roles or responsibilities. This pattern is often used to convey a sense of balance or juggling between two significant aspects of a person's life. For example, a person might be a full-time employee while also pursuing a part-time hobby or studying for a degree. The pattern helps to illustrate the complexity and nuance of a person's life, showcasing their ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb in dictionary form | 動詞辞書形 + かたわら | 彼は大学で教えるかたわら、小説を執筆している。 |
| Noun with の | 名詞 + の + かたわら | 家事のかたわら、独学でプログラミングを学んでいる。 |
| Noun with の (alternative) | 名詞 + の + かたわら (with emphasis on the noun) | プロのピアニストとして活躍するかたわら、子供たちにピアノを教えている。 |
彼は大学で教えるかたわら、小説を執筆している。
Kare wa daigaku de oshieru kawara, shōsetsu o teikiteni shite iru.
He teaches at the university while writing novels.
彼は大学で教えるかたわら、小説を執筆している。 (He teaches at the university while writing novels.)
家事のかたわら、独学でプログラミングを学んでいる。
Kaji no kawara, dokusha de puroguramingu o manabite iru.
He is studying programming on his own while taking care of household chores.
家事のかたわら、独学でプログラミングを学んでいる。 (He is studying programming on his own while taking care of household chores.)
プロのピアニストとして活躍するかたわら、子供たちにピアノを教えている。
Puro no pianisuto toshite katsuyaku suru kawara, kodomo-tachi ni piano o oshiete iru.
As a professional pianist, he is also teaching children how to play the piano.
プロのピアニストとして活躍するかたわら、子供たちにピアノを教えている。 (As a professional pianist, he is also teaching children how to play the piano.)
This pattern is typically used to describe a person's dual roles or responsibilities over a period of time. It is often used in formal or professional settings to convey a sense of balance or juggling between two significant aspects of a person's life. The pattern can be used with any verb in dictionary form, and the noun with の can be replaced with a different noun to emphasize the specific aspect of the person's life.
This pattern is typically used to describe long-term simultaneous actions, whereas 'ながら' is used for short-term simultaneous actions.
While both patterns describe simultaneous actions, 'つつ' focuses on the immediate action, whereas this pattern emphasizes the long-term nature of the actions.
The past tense is not typically used with this pattern, and using it can change the meaning of the sentence.
When using this pattern on the JLPT exam, be sure to emphasize the long-term nature of the simultaneous actions. Pay attention to the verb forms used and make sure to use the dictionary form of the verb. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with 'つつ' or use it for short-term simultaneous actions.
彼は大学で教える______、小説を執筆している。
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