ながら

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

• IPA^(key): [na̠ɡa̠ɾa̠]

• In Tokyo speech, the verb construction can be either always accented, or non-accented if the suffixed verb is non-accented. The accent falls on the な (na) mora.[1]

ながら • (nagara) 

1. while, during, while doing (verb)

   お茶(ちゃ)を飲(の)みながら話(はな)しましょう。

   Ocha o nominagara hanashimashō.

   Let's talk over tea.

   歩(ある)きながら話(はな)しましょうか。

   Arukinagara hanashimashō ka.

   Shall we talk and walk?

2. though, notwithstanding
3. both (doing verb)

• This term is appended to the 連用形(れんようけい) (ren'yōkei, “conjunctive form”) of a verb.
• This term is often spelled in hiragana.

• 我(われ)ながら (ware nagara)