N4
ながら
While ~ing, During, As
私は毎日、音楽を聴きながら走ります。
I run every day, while listening to music.
Explanation
「〜ながら」 means 'while …ing'. It attaches to the verb stem, and one person does two things at the same time. Remember two points:
1Both actions must have the same subject.
2The second action is the main one, and the first is just along for the ride: 「音楽を聴きながら勉強する」 (I study while listening to music; the point is studying).
Mixed up with
Unlike 「あいだ(に)」: with 「ながら」 it must be the same person doing both; with 「あいだ」 the subjects can differ: 「母が料理を作っている間に、子供は宿題をした」.
You cannot say 「×母が料理を作りながら、父がテレビを見る」.
The first verb should be an ongoing action, not an instant one.