傍(かたわ)ら

かたわら
noun, conjunction
beside, while (doing something else)
formalwrittendirectiontime-general
1. beside, at the side of, nearby
The area next to or alongside someone or something.
母(はは)の傍(かたわ)らに座(すわ)る。
Sit beside my mother.
先生(せんせい)の傍(かたわ)らで勉強(べんきょう)する。
Study at the teacher's side.
彼(かれ)はいつも妻(つま)の傍(かたわ)らにいて支(ささ)え続(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)の傍(かたわ)ら小説(しょうせつ)を書(か)いている。
I write novels on the side while working.
育児(いくじ)の傍(かたわ)ら資格(しかく)の勉強(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)として働(はたら)く傍(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, 傍(かたわ)ら is a literary synonym for 側(そば) (beside). It has a more formal, written feel.

In sense 2, the pattern "Xの傍(かたわ)ら" or "Xする傍(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

Related Words

Synonym: 側(そば) (beside (common))
general
Added 2026.2.17 11:52 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
11500/11525_katawara