Everything in life has two sides, right?
Even chocolate, no matter how much we love it, if you eat too much, your skin might break out and you might gain some extra weight.

Or imagine moving into your dream big apartment. On one hand, you’ll finally get the spacious lifestyle you wanted. On the other hand, you’ll start worrying about the monthly budget… and don’t forget, your commuting time will probably change too!

When you want to explain both sides of something, Japanese has a super handy grammar point for that: 反面（はんめん hanmen）.
It’s an N2 grammar point that means “while, although, on the other hand.”

It’s perfect when you want to show two sides of the same situation, good vs. bad, or pros vs. cons.

Let’s dig into 反面 together!

けれど / が vs. 反面
けれど / が are simple contrast markers, like “but.”
反面 is stronger and specifically highlights “two sides of the same situation.”

日本旅行は楽しいけれど、お金がかかる。
にほん りょこう は たのしい けれど、おかね が かかる。
nihon ryokou ha tanoshii keredo, okane ga kakaru.
Traveling in Japan is fun, but it costs money.

日本旅行は楽しい反面、お金がかかる。
にほん りょこう は たのしい はんめん、おかね が かかる。
nihon ryokou ha tanoshii hanmen, okane ga kakaru.
Traveling in Japan is fun, but on the other hand, it costs money.

💡Tip:
Think of けれど/が as just connecting two sentences, while 反面 really emphasizes the duality, two sides of the same thing.

一方 (ippou) vs. 反面 (hanmen)
Both mean “on the other hand.”
一方 (ippou) is often more formal, used in writing or news.
反面 (hanmen) is more common in spoken language and everyday contexts.

都会は便利な一方、自然が少ない。
とかい は べんり な いっぽう、しぜん が すくない。
tokai ha benri na ippou, shizen ga sukunai.
Cities are convenient, but on the other hand, they lack nature.

都会は便利な反面、自然が少ない。
とかい は べんり な はんめん、しぜん が すくない。
tokai ha benri na hanmen, shizen ga sukunai.
Cities are convenient, but on the other hand, they lack nature.

💡Tip:
If you’re writing a formal essay or report, use 一方.
If you’re talking casually or explaining daily life, 反面 sounds more natural.

この部屋は南向きで明るい反面、夏はとても暑い。
この へや は みなみむき で あかるい はんめん、なつ は とても あつい。
kono heya ha minamimuki de akarui hanmen, natsu ha totemo atsui.
This room faces south and is bright, but on the other hand, it’s very hot in summer.

この仕事は自由な反面、責任も重い。
この しごと は じゆう な はんめん、せきにん も おもい。
kono shigoto ha jiyuu na hanmen, sekinin mo omoi.
This job is free, but on the other hand, it carries heavy responsibility.

母は優しい反面、怒ると怖い。
はは は やさしい はんめん、おこる と こわい。
haha ha yasashii hanmen, okoru to kowai.
My mother is kind, but on the other hand, she’s scary when she gets angry.

親友が結婚するのは嬉しい反面、どこか寂しい気持ちもある。
しんゆう が けっこん する の は うれしい はんめん、どこか さびしい きもち も ある。
shinyuu ga kekkon suru no ha ureshii hanmen, dokoka sabishii kimochi mo aru.
I’m happy my best friend is getting married, but on the other hand, I feel a bit lonely.

<Conversational Example>

A: このマンション、駅から近くて便利だね。
この まんしょん、えき から ちかくて べんり だ ね。
kono manshon, eki kara chikakute benri da ne.
This apartment is close to the station, so it’s convenient.

B: うん、便利な反面、家賃は高いけどね。
うん、べんり な はんめん、やちん は たかい けど ね。
un, benri na hanmen, yachin ha takai kedo ne.
Yeah, it’s convenient, but on the other hand, the rent is expensive.

• Grammar Point: 反面 (hanmen)
• JLPT Level: N2
• Meaning: While, although, on the other hand
• Quick Explanation: Use 反面 when you want to describe two sides of the same situation, one positive, one negative.
  

So that’s how we use 反面!
When you can explain both sides of something, your words gain more persuasiveness, don’t they?

日本語は身につけるまで時間がかかる反面、覚えたらずっと使えますよ！
にほんご は みにつける まで じかん かかる はんめん、おぼえたら ずっと つかえます よ！
nihongo ha minitsukeru made jikan ga kakaru hanmen, oboetara zutto tsukaemasu yo!
Learning Japanese takes some time to master, but on the other hand, once you do, you can use it forever!

Now it’s your turn, try making your own sentences with 反面 and show both the good and the bad sides of something in Japanese!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

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