Grammar › Manner & Method
かたわら — “while also (doing X on the side)”
Describes a secondary, ongoing activity carried out alongside someone's main occupation
Noun + の + かたわら, or a plain-form verb + かたわら, describes something done consistently alongside a person's main job or role — “while also doing X (as a side activity).” It's formal/written and usually describes a long-term dual commitment, not a single moment.
How to form it
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Noun + の + かたわら | 仕事のかたわら、小説を書いている — Alongside his job, he writes novels |
| Verb + かたわら | 会社を経営するかたわら、大学で教えている — Alongside running a company, she teaches at a university |
Example sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 彼は音楽活動のかたわら、カフェを経営している。 | かれはおんがくかつどうのかたわら、かふぇをけいえいしている。 karehaongakukatsudounokatawara、kafuewokeieishiteiru。 | Alongside his music career, he runs a café. |
| 主婦のかたわら、資格の勉強を続けている。 | しゅふのかたわら、しかくのべんきょうをつづけている。 shufunokatawara、shikakunobenkyouwotsuzuketeiru。 | Alongside being a homemaker, she keeps studying for a qualification. |
| 彼女は教師をするかたわら、絵本を描いている。 | かのじょはきょうしをするかたわら、えほんをかいている。 kanojohakyoushiwosurukatawara、ehonwokaiteiru。 | Alongside teaching, she draws picture books. |
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Watch out
かたわら describes a long-running, parallel commitment — it doesn't suit a single, one-off simultaneous action (for that, ながら is the right tool); save かたわら for describing someone's ongoing “day job plus side pursuit.”