反面

Meaning & usage

反面 shows that one person, thing, or situation has two opposite aspects at once, often a benefit paired with a drawback or an expectation paired with a different reality. Attach it as noun + の反面, na-adjective + な反面, or plain form verb and i-adjective + 反面, and use その反面 at the start of a following sentence to keep contrasting the same topic. Both sides must be true together, so avoid using it for unrelated skills or when one side denies the other, and note that it sounds neutral to slightly formal in writing.

Example sentences 3

1. 一人暮ひとりぐらしは自由じゆうな反面はんめん、寂さびしい時ときもある。

   Living alone gives you freedom, but on the flip side it can get lonely.

2. 都会は便利な反面、家賃が高いです。

   The city is convenient, but on the flip side the rent is high.

3. 彼は優しい反面、怒ると怖い。

   He is kind, whereas he is scary when he gets angry.