旁
Partly for (the purpose of), In addition to, Along with, By the way, And also to, Incidentally, While
Structure
［する］Verb + かたがた
Explanation
旁, which is almost always written in hiragana as かたがた, is a conjunction used to express two purposes for a single action. It can be translated as ‘while also doing (A), (B)’, ‘for the purpose of (A) and also (B)’, or ‘(B) as an opportunity to do (A)’. While both (A) and (B) are accomplished, (B) can carry a sense of being done at the same time as (A), which is often the main reason.
かたがた connects to a noun that signifies the first purpose (A). The clause that follows, (B), will almost always contain a verb describing the overarching action that accomplishes both purposes.
- ご挨拶かたがた、恩師の研究室を訪れました。I visited my former professor's office, partly for the purpose of giving my greetings.
- お詫びかたがた、事の経緯をご説明に参りました。I have come to explain the circumstances, partly for the purpose of offering my apology.
- 新築のお祝いかたがた、週末に友人の家へお邪魔します。I will be visiting my friend's house this weekend, partly for the purpose of congratulating them on their new home.
When the noun preceding かたがた is one that can be combined with する to form a verb, the する is always dropped.
Caution
かたがた carries a formal tone and is most often encountered in writing. It is frequently used when expressing gratitude or making apologies. For this reason, it can sound quite out of place if used to connect two simple, everyday actions that lack a special context.
- 洗濯かたがた、部屋の掃除をした。I cleaned my room, partly for the purpose of doing laundry. (Unnatural Japanese)
Examples
先日のお詫びかたがた、今後のご相談に伺います。
I will visit your office to apologize for the other day, and also to discuss our future plans.
取引先への年末の挨拶かたがた、来年の契約の話をしてきた。
I went to give my year-end greetings to a client, and while I was there, also discussed next year's contract.
市長は散歩かたがた、駅前の再開発エリアを視察した。
The mayor took a walk, and also took the opportunity to inspect the redevelopment area in front of the station.
出張の報告かたがた、お土産を渡しに部長の席へ伺った。
I went to the department head's desk to report on my business trip and also to give him a souvenir.
退院の挨拶かたがた、お世話になった看護師さんにお礼を言った。
When I was being discharged from the hospital, I said my goodbyes, and at the same time thanked the nurses who had taken care of me.
お世話になった教授に、卒業の報告かたがたお歳暮を届けた。
I went to give a year-end gift to the professor who had helped me, and also to let him know that I had graduated.