N2 Contrast and Concession

~ながら(も): meaning, usage and examples

~ながら(も) means: while... / although... (contradictory).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 危険きけんと知しりながらも、挑戦ちょうせんした。

   Although I knew it was dangerous, I gave it a try.

2. 忙いそがしいと言いいながら、毎日まいにちゲームをしている。

   While saying he's busy, he plays games every day.

3. このアパートは狭せまいながらも、日当ひあたりがよくて快適かいてきだ。

   Although this apartment is small, it gets plenty of sun and is comfortable.

4. 山田やまださんは体調たいちょうが悪わるいながらも、最後さいごまで会議かいぎに出席しゅっせきした。

   Although she was feeling unwell, Ms. Yamada stayed at the meeting until the end.

When to use it

This ながら does not mean "while doing" but "although." It joins two facts about the same person or thing that seem to contradict each other: the first is true, yet the second also holds. It is common with states such as 知しる, 狭せまい, 残念ざんねん, 子供こども, as in 狭せまいながらも、日当ひあたりのいい部屋へやだ.

Nuance

Slightly written but also used in polite speech; adding も makes the contrast stronger. Both parts usually share the same subject. With verbs it is mostly used with state-like verbs (知しる, 思おもう, 言いう, いる), not with one-time actions.

Compare

つつも has the same meaning but is more formal and attaches only to verbs: 悪わるいと思おもいつつも. ものの joins two separate events or situations (習ならったものの、忘わすれた). The ordinary ながら means two actions at once: 音楽おんがくを聞ききながら勉強べんきょうする. Context and the verb type tell you which one is meant.

Tip: If the two parts clash (small but comfortable, knowing but doing anyway), read ながら as "although." Adding も makes this reading certain.