Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
Even though, although, despite.
🎯 Primary Function
To introduce a concessive clause that highlights a contrast or unexpected outcome.
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb stem + ながら(も) / Noun + ながら(も)
い-adj + ながら(も)
な-adj + ながら(も) / な-adj + でありながら(も)
Noun + でないながらも (Rarely used) / Verb ない-form + ながらも (Rarely used)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Highly common in business emails, speeches, and formal announcements.
Informal Situations
Used occasionally, but ‘noni’ or ‘kedo’ are more common in casual daily talk.
Written Language
Very common in literature, essays, and news articles.
Spoken Language
Used in polite or slightly stiff speech.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing Contradiction
Used to connect two facts that seem contradictory or where the second part is unexpected given the first part.
Example: 狭いながらも落ち着く部屋だ。
Humble Expressions
Often used in formal speeches or introductions to acknowledge a lack of skill while showing determination.
Example: 拙いながらも、精一杯努めます。
Fixed Phrases
Commonly used in set expressions like ‘Zannen nagaramo’ (Unfortunately/Regretfully) to soften a refusal or negative news.
Example: 残念ながらも…
Frequency
Common in written and formal spoken Japanese.
Difficulty
N3/N2
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Example Sentences
Example #1
狭いながらも楽しい我が家。
Furigana: せま（い）ながらもたの（しい）わ（が）や（）。
Romaji: Semai nagaramo tanoshii wagaya.
English: Even though it is small, it is a happy home.
Example #2
彼は子供ながらも、よく気がつく。
Furigana: かれ（は）こども（ながらも、）よ（く）き（が）つ（く）。
Romaji: Kare wa kodomo nagaramo, yoku kigatsuku.
English: Although he is a child, he is very considerate.
Example #3
初心者ながらも、一生懸命頑張ります。
Furigana: しょしんしゃ（ながらも、）いっしょうけんめいがんば（ります）。
Romaji: Shoshinsha nagaramo, isshoukenmei ganbarimasu.
English: Even though I am a beginner, I will do my best with all my effort.
Example #4
残念ながらも、会議に出席できません。
Furigana: ざんねん（ながらも、）かいぎ（に）しゅっせき（できません）。
Romaji: Zannen nagaramo, kaigi ni shusseki dekimasen.
English: Regretfully, I will not be able to attend the meeting.
Example #5
文句を言いながらも、引越しを手伝ってくれた。
Furigana: もんく（を）い（い）ながらも、ひ（っこしを）てつだ（ってくれた）。
Romaji: Monku o iinagaramo, hikkoshi o tetsudatte kureta.
English: Even while complaining, he helped me with the moving.
Example #6
このカメラは古いながらも、きれいに撮れる。
Furigana: （この）かめら（は）ふる（い）ながらも、き（れいに）と（れる）。
Romaji: Kono kamera wa furui nagaramo, kirei ni toreru.
English: Although this camera is old, it still takes very beautiful photos.
Example #7
自分でも驚きながらも、賞を受け取った。
Furigana: じぶん（でも）おどろ（き）ながらも、しょう（を）う（け）と（った）。
Romaji: Jibun demo odorokinagaramo, shou o uketotta.
English: Even though I was surprised myself, I accepted the award.
Example #8
体調が悪いながらも、彼女は仕事に行った。
Furigana: たいじょう（が）わる（い）ながらも、かのじょ（は）しごと（に）い（った）。
Romaji: Taichou ga warui nagaramo, kanojo wa shigoto ni itta.
English: Despite being in poor physical condition, she went to work.
Example #9
下手ながらも、似顔絵を描いてみた。
Furigana: へた（ながらも、）にがおえ（を）か（いてみた）。
Romaji: Heta nagaramo, nigaoe o kaitemita.
English: Even though I’m not very good at it, I tried to draw a portrait.
Example #10
僅かながらも、社会の役に立ちたい。
Furigana: わず（かながらも、）しゃかい（の）やく（に）た（ちたい）。
Romaji: Wazuka nagaramo, shakai no yaku ni tachitai.
English: Although it is a small effort, I would like to contribute to society.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Optional ‘mo’
The ‘mo’ is optional but adds emphasis to the contrast. ‘Nagara’ alone can also mean ‘even though’ in certain contexts.
Example: 残念ながら…
Used with social status/states
It is frequently used with nouns like ‘kodomo’ (child) or ‘shousha’ (minority) to show that despite that status, the following action is impressive.
Example: 子供ながらも…
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ 歩きながらも、音楽を聞く。 (To mean: Listening to music while walking)
✅ 歩きながら、音楽を聞く。 (Use ながら without も for simultaneous actions)
‘Nagaramo’ is for contrast (even though), while ‘Nagara’ is for doing two things at once.
❌ 忙しながらも…
✅ 忙しいながらも、楽しい。
The ‘i’ in i-adjectives is retained. Do not drop it.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: It sounds more refined and formal than ‘noni’.
Social Situations: Ideal for situations where you want to show humility (kenjou) or deliver regrettable news politely.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations; standard Japanese.
🔍 Subtle Differences
ながらも vs のに
‘Noni’ expresses stronger emotion/complaint. ‘Nagaramo’ is more objective and formal.
When to use: Use ‘Nagaramo’ in formal writing; use ‘Noni’ for personal frustration.
ながらも vs つつ(も)
‘Tsutsu(mo)’ is even more literary and formal, often used in written reports.
When to use: Use ‘Tsutsu(mo)’ in high-level literary contexts.
📝 Conjugation Notes
For verbs, use the Masu-stem. For nouns and adjectives, attach directly (though nouns/na-adjectives sometimes use ‘de ari nagara’ for emphasis).
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The ‘mo’ is often slightly emphasized to highlight the contrast.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of ‘Nagara’ as ‘while’ and ‘Mo’ as ‘also/even’. Together, they create ‘While [A] is true, [B] is even so.’
Other Grammar
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