GrammarN22 min read2026-02-17

〜をかねて

Japanese grammar expressing dual purposes: doing something while simultaneously accomplishing another goal.

Meaning

〜をかねて expresses doing two things at once, where one action serves as an opportunity to accomplish another. The pattern follows a noun with を かねて, typically expressing a secondary or convenient purpose alongside a primary one. The first action is usually the stated reason or excuse, while the main purpose comes after this phrase.

Formation

Part of speechFormation
名詞を + かねて

Examples

  1. 日本語の勉強をかねて日本語の曲を聞いている。
    I'm listening to Japanese songs while using it as an opportunity to study Japanese.

  2. 兄の大学の入学祝いをかねて家族旅行でハワイに行った。
    We went on a family trip to Hawaii to celebrate my older brother's university entrance while also taking a vacation.

  3. 日本のビジネスマネジメントの勉強をかねて、日本の企業でのインターンシップをし始めた。
    I started an internship at a Japanese company to take the opportunity to learn Japanese business management.

  4. 墓参りを兼ねて故郷に帰った。
    I returned to my hometown while taking the opportunity to visit my family's grave.

Summary

  • Expresses performing one action as a secondary purpose while achieving a primary goal
  • Commonly used when one activity conveniently allows you to accomplish something else
  • The structure is: Noun + を + かねて, typically placed before the main clause describing the primary action

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