What it means
がてら indicates that someone does one action while taking the opportunity to do another related action. The activity before がてら is usually the primary occasion or route, while the following clause expresses an additional purpose or action carried out at the same time. It attaches directly to a noun or to the masu stem of a verb. This form is relatively formal and is common in writing, announcements, and deliberate speech.
Usage note
がてら is generally used when the two activities are meaningfully connected, such as combining an outing with an errand. It is not normally used for two unrelated actions occurring accidentally at the same time. The surrounding predicate can be made familiar or polite; がてら itself does not change.
How to use it
散歩がてら、近所の書店へ本を返しに行きました。
While taking a walk, I went to the neighborhood bookstore to return a book.
出張しがてら、旧友の工房を訪ねました。
While on a business trip, I visited an old friend's workshop.
散歩がてら、近所の書店へ本を返しに行った。
While taking a walk, I went to the neighborhood bookstore to return a book.
出張しがてら、旧友の工房を訪ねた。
While on a business trip, I visited an old friend's workshop.
Example sentences
散歩がてら、近所の郵便局で書類を発送した。
While taking a walk, I took the opportunity to mail documents at the nearby post office.
出張がてら、以前から気になっていた美術館を訪ねた。
While on a business trip, I visited an art museum I had been curious about for some time.
買い物がてら、駅前のクリーニング店で冬物