At a glance
Noun と Noun を兼ねて means "for both [noun] and [noun]" or "combining [noun] and [noun]". It shows that one action serves two purposes, or that one thing fills two roles.
Noun1 と Noun2 を兼ねて、Action
仕事と観光を兼ねて、京都に行きました。 I went to Kyoto for both work and sightseeing.
How to form it
兼ねる is a る-verb meaning "to combine, to serve as both". It attaches to nouns with を.
| Pattern | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| N1とN2を兼ねて、Action | 運動と気分転換を兼ねて、歩く | walk for both exercise and a change of mood |
| N1とN2を兼ねた + Noun | 居間と食堂を兼ねた部屋 | a room that serves as both living and dining room |
| N1とN2を兼ねている | この部屋は居間と食堂を兼ねている | this room serves as both living and dining room |
| Nを兼ねて (one noun) | 散歩を兼ねて、駅まで歩く | walk to the station, which also serves as a walk |
Register: somewhat formal, common in writing and polite speech, but also heard in everyday conversation.