～ながらも
〜nagara mo
JLPT N1 Formal
Formation
Verb stem + ながらも, い-Adjective + ながらも, な-Adjective/Noun + ながらも
Means 'even though' or 'despite'.
When to use
Literary "even though/despite", pairs a state with a contrasting action taken anyway; more literary than にもかかわらず.
Explanation
The ～ながらも grammar point is used to express contrast, highlighting the difference between what is usually expected from a situation and what actually happens. It can be translated as 'even though' or 'despite.'
Example sentences
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Despite being poor, he leads a happy life.
Kare wa mazushii nagara mo, shiawase na seikatsu o okutte iru.
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Even though I am busy, I exercise every day.
Boku wa isogashii nagara mo, mainichi undou shiteimasu.
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Despite being sick, he continued working.
Byouki nagara mo, kare wa shigoto o tsuzukemashita.
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Even though it was raining, he went for a walk.
Ame ga futte iru nagara mo, kare wa sanpo ni dekaketa.
Concession (Even Though / Although / Despite)
- ～ても/でも〜te mo/demoN4Expresses 'even if' or 'even though'; used to convey…
- ～といっても〜to ittemoN3Express the meaning 'even though', 'although', 'but'.
- ～ところが〜tokoro gaN3Expresses a contrast or unexpected outcome; 'however'…
- A。それなのに B。~sorenanoniN2Express contrast or a contradiction between two situations…
- ～くせに〜kuse niN3Used to express criticism or disapproval; 'even though'…
- ～わりには〜wari ni waN3Expresses contrast between expectation and reality…
- ～にもかかわらず〜ni mo kakawarazuN2Expresses 'despite', 'in spite of' or 'even though'.
- Noun にしてNoun ni shiteN1Expresses the idea 'even for', 'even though', or 'in spite…
- ～とはいえ～to wa ieN1Even though; although; but
- ～といえども〜to iedomoN1Even if it is said that; Even though; Although.
- ～に反して〜ni hanshiteN2Contrary to, against, in spite of
- ～のに〜no niN4Used to express contrast between expectation and reality…
- ～ことは…が～koto wa... gaN3Indicates that while something may be true or valid, there…
- ～かと思いきや〜ka to omoikiyaN1Expressing unexpected outcomes; 'just when I thought...'…
Corpus examples (13)
少し悪いと思いながらも、彼は笑うのを抑えることはできなかった。
He could not refrain from smiling, though with a slight sense of guilt.
彼は、結婚するためにイランに帰るかもしれないと言いながらも、日本から帰った後の彼の計画は依然としてめどが立っていない。
Although he says he might return to Iran to marry, his plans after Japan are up in the air.
民衆の熱狂的な彼への支持は、首相の座にとどまりながらも大統領の権限の発揮を可能にしそうだ。
Having reached the rank of prime minister, and with the enthusiastic support of the masses, it seems he is able to wield presidential powers.
-
He gave me what little money he had about him.
トムは元気を取り戻した。そして、やっぱり、大晦日にはびっこを引きながらもパーティーに参加できた。
Tom took heart and, sure enough, on New Year's Eve he was able to hobble along to a party.
彼女は少ないながらも持っていた全ての硬貨をそのものもらいに与えました。
She gave what few coins she had to the beggar.
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Child as he was, he was brave.
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He was angry, but he listened to me patiently.
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Woman as she was, she fought bravely.
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Woman as she was, she was brave.
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Even though it's small, it's a great restaurant.
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Puffing and panting we continued to run with renewed vigor.
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She did it against her will.