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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.
残念ながら、月曜日には行けないと思います。
I'm afraid we can't go on Monday.
その噂は残念ながら本当だ。
I'm afraid the rumor is true.
彼女は友達とコーヒーを飲みながらフットボールの試合についておしゃべりした。
She chatted with her friends about the football game over coffee.
「お前が折った木の種類わかるか？」「いや知らない」刑事に問われ俺は答えた。刑事は開いたドアの方を見ながら「おい、こいつの折った木の種類わかるか？」と声を上げた。「えっと、槙らしいです」と若い女性の声。刑事は居住まいを正すと「お前が折った木の種類わかるか？」ともう一度聞いた。
"Do you know what kind of tree you just broke?" "No, I don't," I answered the detective. While looking through the open door, the detective shouted, "Hey, do you know what kind of tree he just broke?" "Um, looks like it's a yew plum pine," said the voice of a young woman. After straightening himself in his seat, the detective asked me one more time: "Do you know what kind of tree you just broke?"
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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.