ながら + に
While being, Born (with), Traditional (old-fashioned, as it was long ago), As always, While crying or in tears, (Burned) alive
Structure
Noun + ながら（に）
Verb［stem］+ ながら + の + Noun
Noun (A) + ながら + の + Noun (B)
生きる ￫ 生きながら（にして）
生まれる ￫ 生まれながら（にして）
昔 ￫ 昔ながら
いつも ￫ いつもながら
毎回 ￫ 毎回ながら
涙 ￫ 涙ながらに
溜め息 ￫ 溜め息ながら
いる ￫ いながら（にして）
Explanation
When used as a suffix along with the particle に, ながら shows that a certain action or quality (B) exists, while a particular state (A) is maintained. This is often translated as 'while being (A), (B)', or 'in the state of (A), (B)'.
You will find ながらに attached to either a noun or the stem form of a verb. It is also possible to add して directly after に, which does not alter the meaning.
- 彼の音楽の才能は、生まれながらに持っていたものだ。His musical talent is something he was born with.
- 今は家に居ながらにして、世界中の情報を手に入れることができる。Nowadays, you can get information from all over the world while staying at home.
- 彼女は涙ながらに、感謝の気持ちを伝えた。She conveyed her feelings of gratitude through her tears.
- 彼は外国人ながらにして、誰よりも日本の歴史に詳しい。Even though he's a foreigner, he knows more about Japanese history than anyone.
ながらに has a variety of English equivalents, but its core function is to highlight that (B) is true within the unchanging state of (A). This is not strictly about two actions happening at the same time. For instance, with 生まれながらに, a translation like 'since birth' really means that 'from the state of being born (A), a certain quality (B) has continuously existed'.
Caution
This grammar pattern is typically used with a fixed set of expressions. Because of this, it is best to stick to using ながらに with words you have already encountered.
Examples
いつもながら、先生の説明はとてもわかりやすいです。
As always, the teacher's explanation is very easy to understand.
彼女は生まれながらのリーダーシップを持っている。
She has natural-born leadership qualities. (by birth)
今は自分の部屋に居ながら、世界中の人とコミュニケーションがとれる。
Nowadays, you can communicate with people all over the world while being in your own room.
彼は記者会見で、涙ながらに謝罪した。
He apologized in tears at the press conference. (while crying)
この旅館では、昔ながらの日本のおもてなしを体験できます。
At this Japanese inn, you can experience traditional Japanese hospitality. (as it was long ago)
残念ながら、ご希望の商品は品切れです。
Unfortunately, the product you requested is out of stock. (while regrettable)
生まれながらに運動が得意な人もいれば、そうでない人もいる。
Some people are good at sports from birth, while others are not. (born with)
彼は事実を知りながら、黙っていた。
He remained silent, even while knowing the facts. (while knowing)
この町には、まだ昔ながらの風景が残っている。
In this town, old-fashioned scenery still remains. (as it was long ago)
一部の天才は生まれながらにして常人にはない能力を持つ。
Some geniuses are born with abilities that ordinary people do not have.
彼は学生ながら、会社を立ち上げて成功した。
Although just a student, he started a company and succeeded. (while being a student)
彼女は涙ながらに、感動の再会を喜んだ。
With tears in her eyes, she rejoiced at their emotional reunion. (while crying)