ながら indicates that an action is happening simultaneously
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Subject ] + [ Verb ] + ながら + [ Predicate ]
English Meaning
while
Japanese
テレビを見ながら食事をします。
English
I eat while watching TV.
Japanese
走りながら音楽を聞いています。
English
I listens to music while running.
Japanese
喋りながらでも考えろ!
English
I must think while I talk!
Example sentence description
The line is from episode 10 of season 1 of 'Attack on Titan,' said by Armin.
Japanese
歩きながらタバコを吸ってはいけません。
English
You shouldn't smoke while walking.
ながら indicates despite
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Subject ] + [ Verb ] + ながら + [ Predicate ]
English Meaning
Despite
Japanese
彼は困っていることを知りながら、何も手助けをしなかった。
English
Despite knowing that he was in trouble, he didn't offer any help.
Japanese
彼女は体調が悪いと感じながらも、一日中働き続けた。
English
Despite feeling sick, she continued to work all day.
Japanese
残念ながら、そのテストは不合格でした。
English
Unfortunately, I did not pass the exam.