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side; edge; beside; besides; nearby
while (doing); in addition to; at the same time
「側」 has other readings with different meanings.
母のかたわらに座って話を聞いていた。
I sat beside my mother and listened to her talk.
仕事のかたわら、小説を書き続けている。
While working, I continue writing novels on the side.
湖のかたわらで読書をした。
I read a book by the lake.