〜反面 / 〜半面
hanmen
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N3, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
on the other side… / while (having a good side), it also has a bad side
〜反面 means "on the flip side". You describe one side of something (usually the good side), then 反面 introduces the opposite side (usually a drawback). Both sides belong to the same thing: the same job, the same city, the same medicine. It is the natural way to say "X has this advantage, but also this disadvantage".
Written and formal spoken Japanese; essays, reviews, presentations. Both spellings 反面 and 半面 are seen; 反面 is more common on the JLPT. Typical uses: weighing pros and cons, describing personality (優しい反面、気が弱い).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Verb / い-adjective (plain form) + 反面な-adjective + な / である + 反面Noun + である + 反面Second clause: the opposite side, usually a drawback (or a merit if the first side was negative)
Visual diagram
- この仕事は給料がいいone side (merit)
- 反面on the flip side
- 残業がとても多いthe opposite side (drawback)
Natural examples
この仕事は給料がいい反面、残業がとても多い。
このしごとはきゅうりょうがいいはんめん、ざんぎょうがとてもおおい。
This job pays well, but on the other hand there is a lot of overtime.
彼は優しい反面、気が弱いところがある。
かれはやさしいはんめん、きがよわいところがある。
He is kind, but he can also be timid.
都会は便利な反面、人間関係が薄いと言われる。
とかいはべんりなはんめん、にんげんかんけいがうすいといわれる。
Cities are convenient, but human relationships are said to be shallow.
この薬はよく効く反面、副作用が心配だ。
このくすりはよくきくはんめん、ふくさようがしんぱいだ。
This medicine works well, but the side effects are a concern.
一人暮らしは自由である反面、寂しいときもある。
ひとりぐらしはじゆうであるはんめん、さびしいときもある。
Living alone is free, but on the flip side there are lonely moments.
な-adjective + である + 反面.
Similar grammar and the difference
Also "on the other hand", but can describe two parallel activities or two different subjects. 反面 is strictly two sides of one thing. Compare side by side
"Instead of / in exchange for": a trade-off with a sense of compensation. Compare side by side
"Although": the expected result didn't follow. 反面 is a balanced pros-and-cons statement. Compare side by side
"Although", simultaneous contradictory state of one subject. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 彼女は会社で働く反面、家で子どもを育てている。
- ✓
- 彼女は会社で働く一方、家で子どもを育てている。
- Why
- Two parallel activities are not opposite sides; use 一方. 反面 needs a merit/demerit contrast.
- ✗
- この町は静か反面、不便だ。
- ✓
- この町は静かな反面、不便だ。
- Why
- 静か is a な-adjective; な is needed before 反面.
- ✗
- 値段が高い反面、質もよくない。
- ✓
- 値段が高いばかりか、質もよくない。
- Why
- Both are drawbacks, pointing the same way. 反面 needs opposite sides; same-direction addition is ばかりか.
The first clause is often the good side, the second the bad side, but the reverse is fine: 給料は安い反面、休みが多い. The same subject continues through both clauses; that is the key difference from 一方 and に対して. 反面 does not take で or に after it.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- In 文法形式の判断, look for a merit and a demerit of the same thing. If the two clauses are parallel activities or different subjects, choose 一方 instead.
- Distractors: 一方, かわりに, ものの, どころか. If both clauses point the same way, none of 反面/一方 fits; look for ばかりか.
- Attachment: な-adjective + な + 反面, noun + である + 反面. Options such as 便利反面 are wrong.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜反面 / 〜半面 mean?
on the other side… / while (having a good side), it also has a bad side. 〜反面 means "on the flip side". You describe one side of something (usually the good side), then 反面 introduces the opposite side (usually a drawback). Both sides belong to the same thing: the same job, the same city, the same medicine. It is the natural way to say "X has this advantage, but also this disadvantage".
How do you form 〜反面 / 〜半面?
Verb / い-adjective (plain form) + 反面 / な-adjective + な / である + 反面 / Noun + である + 反面 / Second clause: the opposite side, usually a drawback (or a merit if the first side was negative). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜反面 / 〜半面 used?
Written and formal spoken Japanese; essays, reviews, presentations. Both spellings 反面 and 半面 are seen; 反面 is more common on the JLPT. Typical uses: weighing pros and cons, describing personality (優しい反面、気が弱い).
What is the difference between 〜反面 / 〜半面 and 〜一方(で)?
Also "on the other hand", but can describe two parallel activities or two different subjects. 反面 is strictly two sides of one thing.
What is the difference between 〜反面 / 〜半面 and 〜かわりに?
"Instead of / in exchange for": a trade-off with a sense of compensation.
What is a common mistake with 〜反面 / 〜半面?
Wrong: 彼女は会社で働く反面、家で子どもを育てている。 Right: 彼女は会社で働く一方、家で子どもを育てている。 Two parallel activities are not opposite sides; use 一方. 反面 needs a merit/demerit contrast.
Quick check
この仕事はやりがいがある（ ）、責任も重い。