immersionlog

〜反面

on the other hand (two sides of one thing)

Plain form + 反面 (な-adj + な / である · Noun + である)

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反面 presents two opposite sides of the same thing: この仕事は楽しい反面、大変なことも多い, "this job is fun, but it also has a lot of hard parts". 反面 is literally "the other face".

The subject is the same in both halves, and the two qualities pull in opposite directions: convenient but stressful, strict but kind, free but lonely.

It's common in writing, essays and balanced opinions. な-adjectives take な: 便利な反面.

Compare 一方で, which can compare two different things (city vs. countryside), and のに, which complains. 反面 is neutral: it just weighs up pros and cons.

Examples

  • この仕事しごとは楽たのしい反面はんめん、大変たいへんなことも多おおい。

    This job is fun, but it also has a lot of hard parts.

  • 都会とかいの生活せいかつは便利べんりな反面はんめん、ストレスも多おおい。

    City life is convenient, but it's also stressful.

  • 彼かれは厳きびしい反面はんめん、優やさしいところもある。

    He's strict, but he also has a kind side.

  • インターネットは便利べんりな反面はんめん、危険きけんもある。

    The internet is convenient, but it also has its dangers.

  • 一人暮ひとりぐらしは自由じゆうな反面はんめん、寂さびしいこともある。

    Living alone gives you freedom, but it can also be lonely.

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