「～がてら」- While Doing Something Else

Explanation

「～がてら」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express doing something while also accomplishing another task. It emphasizes the secondary nature of the action and is commonly used in everyday conversations.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb ます-stem + がてら	Verb ます-stem (remove 「ます」) + がてら	Indicates doing something while also accomplishing another task.
Noun + がてら	Noun + がてら	Indicates doing something while also accomplishing another task.

Basic Usage

Connection

• Verb ます-stem (remove 「ます」) + がてら
• Noun + がてら

Meaning

• Indicates doing something while also accomplishing another task.

Examples

• 散歩さんぽがてら、買い物かいものに行いく。
• Sanpo gatara, kaimono ni iku.
• I’ll go shopping while taking a walk.
  

• 旅行りょこうがてら、友達ともだちに会あいに行く。
• Ryokou gatara, tomodachi ni ai ni iku.
• I’ll meet my friend while traveling.
  

• 仕事しごとの帰かえりがてら、本屋ほんやに寄よる。
• Shigoto no kaeri gatara, hon’ya ni yoru.
• I’ll stop by the bookstore on my way home from work.
  

• 花見はなみがてら、写真しゃしんを撮とる。
• Hanami gatara, shashin o toru.
• I’ll take photos while enjoying the cherry blossoms.
  

Comparison and Differences

「～がてら」 and 「～ついでに」 both mean "while doing something else," but they differ in usage and tone.

Grammar Point	Usage Context	Tone
～がてら	Everyday conversation	Casual and relaxed
～ついでに	Everyday conversation or writing	More formal, emphasizes the secondary nature

Example:

• 散歩さんぽついでに、買い物かいものを済すませた。
• Sanpo tsuide ni, kaimono o sumaseta.
• I finished shopping while taking a walk.
  

Deep Dive

「～がてら」 is primarily used to describe doing something while also accomplishing another task. It emphasizes the secondary nature of the action and is commonly used in casual, everyday conversations.

Summary

「～がてら」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express doing something while also accomplishing another task. It is commonly used in everyday conversations. Mastering this pattern will help you express actions more naturally and fluently in Japanese.