JLPT N2 Grammar
· Upper Intermediate
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· Upper Intermediate
While; on the other hand
Category: Contrast & Opposition
The grammar pattern 'V-plain / A-i / A-na (na/de aru) / N (no/de aru) + 一方（で）' is used to present two different aspects or events happening simultaneously, highlighting a contrast or opposition. This pattern can be used to describe two different subjects, making it a versatile tool for expressing complex ideas. Unlike 'hanmen', this pattern does not imply a trend or ongoing action, but rather presents two distinct situations or characteristics.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-plain (plain verb form) | V-plain + 一方で | 彼は歌手として活躍する一方で、俳優としても注目されている。 |
| A-i (adjective-i form) | A-i + 一方で | 子供の教育に熱心な親がいる一方で、放任主義の親も増えている。 |
| A-na (adjective-na form) + na/de aru | A-na + na/de aru + 一方で | 彼は学生時代に外国語を勉強した一方で、彼女は音楽を習っていた。 |
| N (noun) + no/de aru | N + no/de aru + 一方で | 彼は会社員として働いている一方で、彼女はフリーランスとして活動している。 |
彼は歌手として活躍する一方で、俳優としても注目されている。
Kare wa utaika-sha to shite katsuyaku suru ichiban de, aktyō to shite mo chūmoku sarete iru.
He is active as a singer, on the other hand, he is also being noticed as an actor.
彼は歌手として活躍する一方で、俳優としても注目されている。 (Kare wa utaika-sha to shite katsuyaku suru ichiban de, aktyō to shite mo chūmoku sarete iru.)
子供の教育に熱心な親がいる一方で、放任主義の親も増えている。
Kodomo no kyōiku ni netsu-kan na oya ga iru ichiban de, hōnin-shugi no oya mo masarete iru.
There are parents who are enthusiastic about their children's education, on the other hand, there are also parents who are permissive.
子供の教育に熱心な親がいる一方で、放任主義の親も増えている。 (Kodomo no kyōiku ni netsu-kan na oya ga iru ichiban de, hōnin-shugi no oya mo masarete iru.)
輸出が増えている一方で、円安の影響で輸入コストも上がっている。
Yūshutsu ga masarete iru ichiban de, en'an no eikō de yūnyū kōshi mo agatte iru.
Exports are increasing, on the other hand, the effect of the yen's depreciation is also causing import costs to rise.
輸出が増えている一方で、円安の影響で輸入コストも上がっている。 (Yūshutsu ga masarete iru ichiban de, en'an no eikō de yūnyū kōshi mo agatte iru.)
This pattern is used to present two different aspects or events happening simultaneously, highlighting a contrast or opposition. It can be used in formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in formal writing and speech. Be careful not to confuse it with 'hanmen', which implies a trend or ongoing action.
In formal contexts, 'de aru' is used to indicate a relationship between two things, while 'no' is used to indicate a possession or attribute. Using 'no' with nouns instead of 'de aru' can make the sentence sound informal or even incorrect.
This pattern is used to highlight a contrast or opposition between two situations. If there is no contrast or parallel action, using this pattern can make the sentence sound confusing or even incorrect.
～一方だ is used to describe a trend or ongoing action, while this pattern is used to describe two different situations or events. Confusing the two can lead to incorrect usage and misunderstandings.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to pay attention to the context and the relationship between the two situations. Use 'de aru' instead of 'no' in formal contexts, and avoid confusing it with ～一方だ. Practice using this pattern in different contexts to improve your skills.
彼は歌手として活躍する______、俳優としても注目されている。
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