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〜かたわら

while also (alongside one's main work)

Verb dictionary form / Noun + の + かたわら

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かたわら describes a second, long-term activity someone pursues alongside their main occupation: 彼は会社に勤めるかたわら、小説を書いている, "he writes novels on the side while working at a company".

The first half is the main role (a job, study, raising children) and the second is a side activity (writing, volunteering, studying). Both continue over a long period.

It's different from ながら (N5), which is two actions at the same moment, like eating while watching TV. You can't write a novel literally during your office hours, but かたわら works because both run in parallel over years.

It's formal and written, common in biographies and profiles. The word itself means "beside".

Examples

  • 彼かれは会社かいしゃに勤つとめるかたわら、小説しょうせつを書かいている。

    He writes novels on the side while working at a company.

  • 母はは子育はこそだてのかたわら、大学だいがくに通かよった。

    While raising us, my mother also went to university.

  • 教師きょうしの仕事しごとのかたわら、ボランティアをしている。

    Alongside her teaching job, she does volunteer work.

  • 彼かれは研究けんきゅうのかたわら、後輩こうはいの指導しどうもしている。

    Alongside his research, he also mentors junior colleagues.

  • 彼かれは家業かぎょうを手伝てつだうかたわら、絵えを描かき続つづけた。

    He kept painting while helping with the family business.

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