Time and sequence

～がてら

while; on the occasion of; doing it on the way

AI-written, reviewed by AI (ChatGPT)

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How to form it

  • Noun / Verb (ます-stem) + がてら

Register: Written to neutral

Explanation

Says that one trip or action also serves a second purpose.

Both actions happen in one outing. Not used with a long action or a state.

Examples

  1. 散歩がてら、手紙を出してきた。

    さんぽがてら、てがみをだしてきた。

    I posted a letter while out for a walk.

  2. 買い物がてら、友達の家に寄った。

    かいものがてら、ともだちのいえによった。

    I dropped by my friend's house while out shopping.

  3. 出張がてら、観光もしてきた。

    しゅっちょうがてら、かんこうもしてきた。

    I did some sightseeing too while on the business trip.

Compare with

  • ～ついでに: ついでに adds a small extra; がてら combines two purposes in one outing and is a little more formal.

Common mistakes

  • Using it with a verb that is not a movement or outing.