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Formation: V-ます stem + ながら（も）; V-ている → V-ていながら（も）; い-adj + ながら（も）; な-adj stem / N + ながら（も）

This is the concessive use of ながら: although X is true, Y follows, which is not what you would expect. Both clauses usually share the same subject. With verbs it works best with state verbs (知る, 思う, ある, いる) or in the form 〜ていながら, because an action verb in the plain stem form reads as 'while doing'. Adding も makes the contrast stronger. The register is fairly formal, and there are many set phrases: 残念ながら, 狭いながらも, 子供ながら, 微力ながら. Compare 〜ものの, which attaches to plain forms and admits a fact before a disappointing result; 〜つつ（も）, which is more literary and only takes verbs; and 〜くせに, which has a similar meaning but carries the speaker's criticism.

Variants: 〜ながらも、〜ていながら（も）

Examples

• 狭いながらも、日当たりのいい部屋だ。
  Small as it is, the room gets plenty of sunlight.
• 体に悪いと知りながら、つい夜更かししてしまう。
  Even though I know it's bad for me, I end up staying up late.
• 彼は子供ながら、大人顔負けの知識を持っている。
  Though just a child, he knows more than many adults.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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