GRAMMAR
〜がてら
while
on the way
Explanation
NOTE
〜がてら means while / on the way — doing a second thing while doing the first, in one outing.
散歩がてら、買い物をした。
On the way for a walk, I did some shopping.
NOTE
Both actions share one occasion. It is often used for outings, like a walk or an errand.
運動がてら、駅まで歩いた。
While getting some exercise, I walked to the station.
がてら is most natural with nouns expressing a motion or outing.
NOTE
Attach がてら directly to an action noun, such as 散歩 (walk) or 買い物 (shopping).
STRUCTURE
N辞
がてら散歩がてら、友達の家に寄った。
Sanpo gatera, tomodachi no ie ni yotta.
On the way for a walk, I stopped by my friend's house.
買い物がてら、本屋に行った。
Kaimono gatera, honya ni itta.
While out shopping, I went to the bookstore.
見物がてら、お土産を買った。
Kenbutsu gatera, omiyage o katta.
While sightseeing, I bought some souvenirs.
散歩がてら、郵便局へ行ってきます。
Sanpo gatera, yuubinkyoku e itte kimasu.
I'll go to the post office while I'm out for a walk.
買い物がてら、友達の家に寄ります。
Kaimono gatera, tomodachi no ie ni yorimasu.
I'll stop by my friend's house while I'm out shopping.
写真撮影がてら、公園を散策しました。
Shashin satsuei gatera, kouen o sansaku shimashita.
I strolled through the park while taking photos.
Practice exercises
1
散歩がてら、買い物をした。
On the way for a walk, I did some shopping.
Answer
がてら
2
買い物がてら、本屋に行った。
While out shopping, I went to the bookstore.
Answer
がてら
3
運動がてら、駅まで歩いた。
While getting some exercise, I walked to the station.
Answer
がてら
4
買い物がてら、周りを気にしつつ、古本屋に寄った。
While out shopping, mindful of my surroundings, I stopped by the used bookstore.
Answer
がてら
5
帰省がてら、近況報告かたがた、恩師の家を訪ねた。
While visiting my hometown, I called on my former teacher's house, also reporting on my recent situation.
Answer
がてら
6
散歩がてら、気になる風景を写真に収めた。
While taking a walk, I captured the interesting scenery in a photograph.
Answer
がてら
7
運動がてら、駅前の書店まで足を運んだ。
While getting some exercise, I made my way to the bookstore in front of the station.
Answer
がてら
8
海外出張がてら、現地文化への理解を深めた。
While on an overseas business trip, I deepened my understanding of the local culture.
Answer
がてら