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Sample Sentences for ながら
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.
微笑みながら彼女は彼の髪をタオルで拭いてあげた。
With a smile she dried his hair with a towel.
彼はいつもシャワーを浴びながら歌を歌う。
He always sings in the shower.
彼女はロープをたぐりながら登って行った。
She climbed a rope hand over hand.
彼は陽気に口笛を吹きながら通りを歩いた。
He walked down the street whistling cheerfully.
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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.