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Sample Sentences for ながら
彼女は涙を流しながらその歌を歌った。
She sang the song with tears running down her cheeks.
彼女は微笑みながら私に話しかけた。
She spoke to me with a smile.
歌いながら洗顔してたら泡飲んじゃった。
I swallowed a soap bubble when I was washing my face while singing.
私たちはお茶を飲みケーキを食べながら夜遅くまで話をした。
We conversed until late at night while eating cake and drinking tea.
忘れっぽいのには自分ながら呆れる。
I am disgusted with myself for my short memory.
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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.