(かたわ)

かたわら
noun / conjunction
beside, while (doing something else)
1. beside, at the side of, nearby
The area next to or alongside someone or something.
(はは)(かたわ)らに(すわ)る。
Sit beside my mother.
先生(せんせい)(かたわ)らで勉強(べんきょう)する。
Study at the teacher's side.
(かれ)はいつも(つま)(かたわ)らにいて(ささ)(つづ)けた。
He was always at his wife's side, continuing to support her.
2. while, alongside, in addition to
Used to indicate doing one activity while also engaged in another, often a primary occupation alongside a secondary one.
仕事(しごと)(かたわ)小説(しょうせつ)()いている。
I write novels on the side while working.
育児(いくじ)(かたわ)資格(しかく)勉強(べんきょう)をしている。
I am studying for a qualification while raising my children.
会社員(かいしゃいん)として(はたら)(かたわ)ら、ボランティア活動(かつどう)にも参加(さんか)している。
While working as an office worker, I also participate in volunteer activities.

In sense 1, (かたわ)ら is a literary synonym for (そば) (beside). It has a more formal, written feel.

In sense 2, the pattern "Xの(かたわ)ら" or "Xする(かたわ)ら" means "while doing X" or "alongside X," often describing a secondary activity done in addition to a main occupation.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 仕事(しごと)(かたわ)ら (on the side of one's job)
  • (かたわ)らに()く (place beside)
  • (かたわ)らで見守(みまも)る (watch over from the side)

Related Words

Synonym: (そば) (beside (common))