📘 ～かたわら is a JLPT N1 grammar structure used to express doing one main activity while also engaging in another side activity. It often shows that someone leads a double role or multitasks regularly.
🔍 1. Meaning & Nuance
- ➡️ ～かたわら = While doing… / Besides… / In addition to…
- 🧠 Expresses parallel actions, especially long-term roles.
- 💼 Often used to describe professionals or multi-skilled individuals.
🧱 2. Formation
| 🔤 Structure | 📝 Example |
|---|---|
| Noun + の + かたわら | 教師のかたわら、小説を書いている。 |
| Verb (dictionary form) + かたわら | 働くかたわら、大学で勉強している。 |
💡 3. Example Sentences
- 👨💼 彼は会社員のかたわら、ボランティア活動もしている。
He works as a company employee and also does volunteer work. - 👩👧👦 彼女は子育てのかたわら、作家としても活躍している。
She raises her children and is also active as a writer. - 🎓 大学で学ぶかたわら、アルバイトもしている。
He works part-time while studying at university. - 👨⚕️ 父は医者のかたわら、地元のラジオ番組に出演している。
My father is a doctor and also appears on a local radio show.
📝 4. Notes & Tips
- ✔️ Use for regular or long-term parallel activities.
- 📗 Common in biographies, resumes, or formal settings.
- ⚠️ Not used for temporary or one-off actions.
✍️ 5. Practice Exercises
📌 A. Fill in the blanks
- 彼女は歌手＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿、テレビでも活躍している。
- 働く＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿、夜間学校に通っている。
- 彼は芸術家＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿、教師としても教えている。
📌 B. Translate into Japanese
- She works part-time while raising her children.
- Besides being a professor, he writes academic papers.
- He studies Japanese while working full time.
📌 C. Make your own sentences
✏️ Write 2 original sentences using ～かたわら to describe someone doing two roles or activities.
📊 6. Summary Table
| 📚 Grammar Point | 🧾 Details |
|---|---|
| Structure | Noun + の + かたわら / Verb-dictionary + かたわら |
| Meaning | While doing… / Besides… |
| Usage | Formal context, two simultaneous roles |
| Nuance | Balance of responsibilities or talents |
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