～ながらに JLPT N1

Formation

Common set phrases: 生まれながらに, 涙ながらに, 昔ながらに, 子供ながらに, etc.

Explanation

The ～ながらに grammar point is used to indicate a condition that remains unchanged from some starting point or in a certain manner. It appears in set phrases such as 生まれながらに (from birth), 涙ながらに (while crying), 昔ながらに (in the old/original way), 子供ながらに (even though [still] a child), etc.

Example sentences

• 彼女は生まれながらにして優れた音感を持っている。

  She has had an excellent sense of pitch from birth.

  Kanojo wa umare nagara ni shite sugureta onkan o motte iru.

• 彼は子供ながらに大人の会話を理解していた。

  Even though he was just a child, he understood adult conversations.

  Kare wa kodomo nagara ni otona no kaiwa o rikaishite ita.

• 彼女は涙ながらに真実を訴えた。

  She pleaded the truth while in tears.

  Kanojo wa namida nagara ni shinjitsu o uttaeta.

• 私たちは昔ながらに伝わる祭りを大切にしている。

  We cherish the traditional festival that has been passed down unchanged from old times.

  Watashi-tachi wa mukashi nagara ni tsutawaru matsuri o taisetsu ni shite iru.