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Sample Sentences for ながら
トムは学校が終わった後、泣きながら家に帰ってきた。
Tom came home crying after school.
彼女は手紙を読みながら泣いた。
She cried as she read the letter.
残念ながら彼女の成功を確信していません。
I'm sorry, but I'm not confident of her success.
「それがね、お母さん」主婦は悲しみの涙を流しながら言った。
"Oh, mother," said the housewife, breaking into bitter tears.
先約がありますので残念ながらご招待に応じかねます。
I regret that a previous engagement prevents me from accepting your kind invitation.
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It's a particle and it means (1st meaning) while (at the same time).
To use this particle on verbs you take the -masu form of the main action verb, and then replace -masu with -nagara.
Ex 1. While
I listen to the radio while I drive.
運転しながら、ラジオを聞きます。
The main action is in front of ながら, the secondary action is after ながら。Aながら = while A.
Ex 2. Despite
Despite living in Holland I'm studying Japanese.
オランダにいながら、日本語を勉強しています。
Context suggests it is possible, but there are better options.
Ex 3. Although
John is weak even though he's tall.
ジョンさんは背が高いながらも、弱いです。
The particle も adds contrast (i.e. as opposed to).
Ex 4. Common expression
I'm sorry but there is (I have) no time.
残念ながら時間がない。
You'll often hear this in spoken language.