がてら
On the occasion of, While … as well, While … (one is) at it, During, Along the way
Structure
Noun + がてら,
Explanation
がてら is a modern Japanese expression that functions like an adverbial particle. It attaches to the stem of a verb (the conjunctive form) or directly to a noun. Much like ながら, it can be translated as 'while doing (A), also do (B)', 'at the same time as (A)', or 'along with (A)'.
When attached to a noun, that noun will typically describe an action or physical movement.
- 祖母の見舞いがてら、近所の叔母の家にも寄った。While visiting my grandmother, I stopped by my aunt's house in the same neighborhood as well.
- デパートへ買い物に行きがてら、映画を見てきた。Since I was going to the department store to shop, I saw a movie while I was at it.
- 朝の散歩がてら、郵便を出してきます。I'm going to mail a letter while I'm out for my morning walk.
- ドライブがてら、新しいカフェに寄ってみた。While out for a drive, I decided to stop by a new cafe too.
In contrast to ながら, がてら implies that the main activity (A) provides a convenient chance to perform the secondary activity (B) at the same time.
Fun Fact
The word がてら is a sound alteration of がてり. This itself originated from a shortened form of かてあり, which combined かて (the conjunctive form of the verb 糅つ, meaning 'to mix') and the verb あり. Over time, かてあり became かてり, and then evolved into がてり and finally がてら. The original sense of 'mixing' actions together can still be felt in its modern usage.
Examples
「図書館に本を返しに行くがてら、近くのカフェに寄ろう。」
Let's stop by a nearby cafe on our way to return these books to the library as well.
出張がてら、現地の有名な博物館を訪ねた。
While on a business trip, I visited a famous local museum as well.
「犬の散歩がてら、スーパーで牛乳を買ってきます。」
I'll go buy some milk at the supermarket while I'm out walking the dog.
届け物がてら、少しおしゃべりでもしませんか？
Since I'm dropping something off anyway, would you like to have a little chat?
友人のお見舞いがてら、彼が好きそうな本を何冊か持っていった。
I brought a few books he might like when I went to visit my friend in the hospital.
部屋の掃除がてら、聞きたかったポッドキャストを再生した。
I played a podcast I've been meaning to listen to while cleaning my room at the same time.
郵便局へ行くがてら、ATMでお金を下ろしてくるよ。
I'll withdraw some money from the ATM since I'm going to the post office anyway.
ドライブがてら、海岸線の美しい景色を楽しんだ。
While out for a drive, I enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the coastline.
子供の送り迎えがてら、近所のパン屋に寄るのが日課になっている。
It's become my daily routine to stop by the neighborhood bakery while picking up my child.
祖父母の家に遊びに行くがてら、庭の草むしりを手伝うことにした。
I decided to help with the weeding in the garden while visiting my grandparents.
駅まで友人を迎えに行くがてら、薬局で薬を買っておいた。
I bought the medicine at the pharmacy on my way to pick up my friend from the station.
昼食がてら、来週のプロジェクトについて話し合いましょう。
Let's discuss next week's project while we have lunch as well.