Grammar › Connecting Ideas
一方で(いっぽうで) — “while, on the other hand”
Presents two sides of a situation at once — often a plus and a minus of the same thing
A clause + 一方で introduces a second, contrasting fact about the same subject that holds true at the same time — “while X is true, at the same time Y is also true.” It's common for balanced explanations that show both a benefit and a drawback of one thing.
How to form it
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Plain form + 一方で | 便利になった一方で、問題も増えた — While it's become more convenient, problems have also increased |
Example sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| この技術は便利である一方で、危険も伴う。 | このぎじゅつはべんりであるいっぽうで、きけんもともなう。 konogijutsuhabenridearuippoude、kikenmotomonau。 | While this technology is convenient, it also carries risks. |
| 都市部は便利な一方で、家賃が高い。 | としぶはべんりないっぽうで、やちんがたかい。 toshibuhabenrinaippoude、yachingatakai。 | While cities are convenient, rent is high. |
| 彼は厳しい一方で、とても優しい人だ。 | かれはきびしいいっぽうで、とてもやさしいひとだ。 karehakibishiiippoude、totemoyasashiihitoda。 | While he's strict, he's also a very kind person. |
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Watch out
一方で shows two simultaneous, often contrasting sides of the same subject — for two completely separate, unrelated topics placed side by side, plain が or そして fits better.