JLPT N3 Grammar
· Intermediate
Search pages and navigate
· Intermediate
on the other hand/at the same time
Category: Contrast and Comparison
The grammar pattern 'V/A-い/A-な (な)/N (である) + 一方で' is used to describe two contrasting ideas or situations. It can also be used to describe two different things happening simultaneously. This pattern is often used in formal writing and news articles to provide a balanced view of a situation. It is similar to the pattern 'hanmen', but it has a more formal tone and is used to describe more complex ideas.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| V-い | V + い + 一方で | 頑張る + い + 一方で |
| A-い | A + い + 一方で | 大切にする + い + 一方で |
| A-な (な) | A + な (な) + 一方で | 恥ずかしい + な (な) + 一方で |
| N (である) | N + である + 一方で | 学生である + 一方で |
仕事を頑張る一方で、趣味の時間も大切にしたい。
Shigoto o ganbaru ippon de, shumi no jikan mo taihen ni shitai.
On the one hand, I want to work hard, but on the other hand, I also want to make time for my hobbies.
仕事を頑張る (work hard) 一方で (on the one hand) 趣味の時間も (also) 大切にしたい (want to make time for)
少子化が進む一方で、高齢者の数は増え続けている。
Shoushika ga susumu ippon de, korei-sha no sū wa masae tsuzukete iru.
On the one hand, the population is declining, but on the other hand, the number of elderly people is increasing.
少子化が進む (population is declining) 一方で (on the one hand) 高齢者の数は (the number of) 増え続けている (is increasing)
彼は学生である一方で、とても恥ずかしがり屋なところもある。
Kare wa gakusei de aru ippon de, totemo hazukashigariya na tokoro mo aru.
On the one hand, he is a student, but on the other hand, he is also very shy.
学生である (is a student) 一方で (on the one hand) とても恥ずかしがり屋なところもある (is also very shy)
この会社は経営難に陥っている一方で、多くの新規顧客を獲得している。
Kono kaisha wa keiei nan ni tsukatteru ippon de, takai no shin-kaihyō o kaijū shite iru.
On the one hand, the company is struggling financially, but on the other hand, it has gained many new customers.
経営難に陥っている (struggling financially) 一方で (on the one hand) 多くの新規顧客を獲得している (has gained many new customers)
このプロジェクトは難しい一方で、非常に面白い。
Kono purojekuto wa muzukashii ippon de, hisan ni omoshiroi.
On the one hand, this project is difficult, but on the other hand, it is also very interesting.
難しい (difficult) 一方で (on the one hand) 非常に面白い (is also very interesting)
This pattern is often used in formal writing and news articles to provide a balanced view of a situation. It is similar to the pattern 'hanmen', but it has a more formal tone and is used to describe more complex ideas. It can be used to describe two contrasting ideas or situations, or to describe two different things happening simultaneously.
Hanmen is a more casual pattern that is used to describe two contrasting ideas or situations, but it has a more informal tone and is not suitable for formal writing or news articles.
Ni taishite is a more casual pattern that is used to describe a direct comparison between two people, but it is not suitable for describing two contrasting ideas or situations.
Oneboushi is a more casual pattern that is used to describe a contrast between two ideas or situations, but it is not suitable for formal writing or news articles.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct form of the verb or adjective, and to use the correct particle '一方で' to describe the contrast or simultaneous action.
仕事を頑張る ______ 、趣味の時間も大切にしたい。
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.