～反面 — On the other hand | JLPT N3 grammar

Meaning

Use it when the same person, object, or situation has two opposing sides. It is not for unrelated subjects; ～一方（で） or ～に対して is better there.

Formation

V／い-adjective＋反面・な-adjective＋な反面・N／な-adjective＋である反面

When to use it

Where to use it: It fits balanced advantages and drawbacks of one choice: flexible but lonely, light but quick to lose charge.
Where not to use it: Do not use it when A and B concern different things or are not two sides of the same property.

Examples

20 sentences

この仕事しごとはやりがいがある反面はんめん責任せきにんも重いおもい。
This job is rewarding, but on the other hand it carries a great deal of responsibility.
田舎いなかの生活せいかつは静かしずかな反面はんめん交通こうつうが不便ふべんだ。
Life in the countryside is quiet, but transportation is inconvenient.
この薬くすりはよく効くきく反面はんめん副作用ふくさようが強いつよい。
This medicine works well, but on the other hand it has strong side effects.
彼かれは仕事しごとが速いはやい反面はんめんミスも多いおおい。
He works quickly, but on the other hand he makes many mistakes.
インターネットは便利べんりな反面はんめん情報じょうほうの真偽しんぎを見極めにくいみきわめにくい。
The internet is convenient, but on the other hand it can be difficult to judge whether information is true.
一人暮らしひとりぐらしは自由じゆうな反面はんめん家事かじを全部ぜんぶ自分じぶんでしなければならない。
Living alone gives you freedom, but on the other hand you have to do all the housework yourself.
彼かれの店みせは小さくちいさくて親しみやすいしたしみやすい反面はんめん、席せきが六つむっつしかない。
His café is small and welcoming, but on the other hand it has only six seats.
在宅勤務ざいたくきんむは時間じかんを自由じゆうに使えるつかえる反面はんめん、孤独こどくを感じかんじやすい。
Remote work gives you freedom over your time, but it can also make you feel lonely.

12 more examples

このカメラは軽いかるい反面はんめん、電池でんちがすぐになくなる。
This camera is light, but its battery runs out quickly.
海辺うみべの家いえは毎日まいにち美しいうつくしい夕日ゆうひを見みられる反面はんめん、塩しおで自転車じてんしゃがさびやすい。
A seaside home offers beautiful sunsets every day, but bicycles rust easily from the salt.
この町まちは交通こうつうが便利べんりな反面はんめん家賃やちんが高いたかいです
This town has convenient transport, but the rent is high.
一人暮らしひとりぐらしは自由じゆうな反面はんめん寂しいさびしいこともあります
Living alone gives you freedom, but it can also be lonely.
この仕事しごとは忙しいいそがしい反面はんめんやりがいがあります
This job is busy, but it is rewarding.
ネットの買い物かいものは便利べんりな反面はんめん実物じつぶつが見みられません
Online shopping is convenient, but you cannot see the actual item.
このカメラは小さいちいさい反面はんめんボタンが押しおしにくいです
This camera is small, but its buttons are hard to press.
田舎いなかは静かしずかな反面はんめん店みせが少ないすくないです
The countryside is quiet, but there are few shops.
この本ほんは内容ないようが詳しいくわしい反面はんめん初めてはじめての人ひとには難しいむずかしいです
This book is detailed, but it is difficult for beginners.
在宅勤務ざいたくきんむは通勤つうきんが要らいらない反面はんめん運動不足うんどうぶそくになりやすいです
Working from home removes the commute, but can lead to too little exercise.
新しいあたらしい道みちができて生活せいかつが便利べんりになる反面はんめん静かなしずかな場所ばしょが減りますへります
The new road will make life easier, but there will be fewer quiet places.
留学りゅうがくは多くおおくの経験けいけんができる反面はんめん費用ひようがかかります
Studying abroad offers many experiences, but it costs money.

Important notes

The contrast is usually substantive and often sounds analytical or written.

Common mistakes

Do not silently change the subject in the second clause.
Do not confuse 反面 with 一方だ, which marks continuing change in one direction.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: このカメラは軽いかるい反面はんめん、電池でんちがすぐになくなる。 This camera is light, but its battery runs out quickly.Please configure it exactly as written in the manual.The older sister is cautious, whereas the younger sister acts immediately.
Sentence 2: このカメラは小さいちいさい反面はんめんボタンが押しおしにくいです This camera is small, but its buttons are hard to press.Please arrange the dishes as in this photo.This car has good fuel economy, whereas that car offers better driving performance.
Sentence 3: 留学りゅうがくは多くおおくの経験けいけんができる反面はんめん費用ひようがかかります Studying abroad offers many experiences, but it costs money.I tried pronouncing it the way the teacher had shown me.This shop takes only cash, whereas that one also takes cards.