Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 8: 16/23

一方(いっぽう)でOn the other hand, At the same time, While

Structure

Verb + 一方(いっぽう)（で）
［い］Adjective + 一方(いっぽう)（で）
［な］Adjective + な(1) + 一方(いっぽう)（で）
Noun + の(1) + 一方(いっぽう)（で）
Phrase。 一方(いっぽう)(2) + Phrase

(1) である
(2) その一方(いっぽう)(で)

Details

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About 一方で

一方(いっぽう)で is a combination of the noun 一方(いっぽう) 'one direction', and the case marking particle で, in its nuance as 'at'. Together, they are used in a similar way to a conjunction particle, carrying the meaning of 'on the other hand', 'at the same time', or 'while'.

一方(いっぽう)で may be used after the attributive form of other words, or at the beginning of new phrases.

As 一方(いっぽう)で has a literal meaning similar to 'at the (A) side', or 'in the (A) direction', it is expressing that another direction also exists, which may then be compared or contrasted with (A).

Caution

Do not confuse 一方(いっぽう)で, with 一方(いっぽう)だ (or で in its conjunctive form). The expression that uses the で particle means 'at one direction/side', while the expression that utilizes the auxiliary verb だ (or で in its conjunctive form) means 'in one direction'.

  • 私(わたし)のお金(かね)は貯(た)まっていく一方(いっぽう)で、彼(かれ)のお金(かね)は減(へ)っていくばかりです。
    My savings is increasing, on the other hand, his savings continue to decline.
  • 毎月(まいつき)お金(かね)が減(へ)っていく一方(いっぽう)で、全然(ぜんぜん)貯(た)まりそうもない。
    Every month I keep losing money, and it doesn't even seem like it will increase.

The overall context of the sentence will usually reveal whether the conjunctive form of だ (で) is being used, or the actual で particle.

Examples

--:--

    この靴(くつ)は、温(あたた)かい一方(いっぽう)で、重(おも)いです。

    These shoes are warm but on the other hand they are heavy.

    あの食(た)べ物(もの)は体(からだ)に良(い)い一方(いっぽう)で、食(た)べ過(す)ぎたら、体(からだ)に悪(わる)い。

    On the one hand, that food is good for your body. On the other hand, if you eat too much, it is bad for you.

    彼(かれ)の会社(かいしゃ)が儲(もう)かる一方(いっぽう)で、うちの会社(かいしゃ)は経営(けいえい)状態(じょうたい)が悪化(あっか)している。

    His company seems to be profitable, but, on the other hand, the condition of our administration is growing worse.

    友人(ゆうじん)たちがスキーを楽(たの)しむ一方(いっぽう)で、私(わたし)は働(はたら)かなくてはいけない。

    My friends are having a fun time skiing, but I, on the other hand, have to work.

    会社(かいしゃ)ではいい上司(じょうし)だが、その一方(いっぽう)で、家(いえ)では酒乱(しゅらん)だ。

    He is a good boss at the company, but, at the same time, he is a violent drunk at home.

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