-는 반면에
On the Other Hand, While
-는 반면에 is used to present two contrasting facts or aspects about the same subject, similar to 'on the one hand... on the other hand...' or 'while'.
How It Works
-는 반면에 is a useful expression for creating a balanced contrast between two qualities or actions related to the same subject. It's generally more formal than -지만 and is often used in writing or presentations to discuss pros and cons.
Conjugation Rules:
The conjugation depends on the type of word and tense.
1. Action Verbs (Present Tense):
Attach -는 반면에 directly to the verb stem.
- 가다 (to go) → 가는 반면에
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹는 반면에
- 일하다 (to work) → 일하는 반면에
2. Adjectives (Descriptive Verbs) & 이다/아니다:
Attach -(으)ㄴ 반면에 to the stem.
- If the stem ends in a vowel or 'ㄹ', add -ㄴ 반면에. (ㄹ is dropped).
- 예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예쁜 반면에
- 멀다 (to be far) → 먼 반면에 - If the stem ends in a consonant, add -은 반면에.
- 좋다 (to be good) → 좋은 반면에
- 작다 (to be small) → 작은 반면에 - For nouns, use -인 반면에 with 이다 and 아닌 반면에 with 아니다.
- 학생이다 (to be a student) → 학생인 반면에
3. Past Tense (All Verbs/Adjectives):
Attach -았/었던 반면에 to the verb or adjective stem.
- 하다 (to do) → 하 + -았- → 했던 반면에
- 좋다 (to be good) → 좋 + -았- → 좋았던 반면에
The key point is that the subject of both clauses must be the same. You are describing two different sides of one coin.
Examples (4)
- 그 배우는 연기는 잘하는 반면에 노래는 잘 못해요.
That actor is good at acting, but on the other hand, he is not good at singing.
Word by Word: That actor acting is good at on the other hand singing is not good at.
This sentence contrasts two abilities (acting and singing) of the same person (that actor).
- 이 동네는 조용한 반면에 교통이 불편해요.
This neighborhood is quiet, while on the other hand, the transportation is inconvenient.
Word by Word: This neighborhood is quiet on the other hand transportation is inconvenient.
Here, a positive aspect (quiet) and a negative aspect (inconvenient transportation) of the same subject (this neighborhood) are contrasted.
- 이 스마트폰은 카메라 성능이 좋은 반면에 배터리가 빨리 닳아요.
This smartphone has good camera performance, but on the other hand, its battery drains quickly.
Word by Word: This smartphone camera performance is good on the other hand battery quickly drains.
This sentence contrasts a positive feature (good camera) and a negative feature (short battery life) of the same subject (this smartphone).
- 작년에는 일이 많아서 힘들었던 반면에 돈은 많이 벌었어요.
Last year was difficult because I had a lot of work, but on the other hand, I earned a lot of money.
Word by Word: Last year because work was much was difficult on the other hand money a lot earned.
This uses the past tense form -았/었던 반면에 to contrast the negative (difficult) and positive (earned a lot of money) aspects of the same time period (last year).
Common Mistakes
Using -는 반면에 to contrast two different subjects.
Different Meaning저는 커피를 좋아하는 반면에 제 친구는 차를 좋아해요.Better저는 커피를 좋아하지만 제 친구는 차를 좋아해요.-는 반면에 is used to describe two contrasting aspects of the same subject. When you are contrasting two completely different subjects (e.g., 'I' and 'my friend'), it's more natural to use a general contrastive connector like -지만.
Using the wrong conjugation for adjectives.
Not Quite그 집은 작는 반면에 아주 깨끗해요.Better그 집은 작은 반면에 아주 깨끗해요.For adjectives (descriptive verbs), you must use -(으)ㄴ 반면에, not -는 반면에. Since the stem of 작다 ends in a consonant, you add -은, making it 작은 반면에.
Learn This First
To express contrast 'on the other hand', you need verb modification.
Related Patterns
- -지만But
Both express contrast ('but'). However, -지만 is a general connector that can be used for any contrasting clauses, even with different subjects. -는 반면에 is more specific and formal, used to contrast two different aspects of the same subject.
- -ㄴ/는데Background Info, But
-(으)ㄴ/는데 can also show contrast, but it's often used to provide background information before the main clause. -는 반면에 creates a more direct and balanced contrast, explicitly stating 'on the one hand... on the other hand...'
- -에도 불구하고Despite, In Spite of
Both show contrast. -는 반면에 presents two contrasting facts as a balanced pair (A is true, while B is also true). -에도 불구하고 means 'despite' or 'in spite of', implying that the second clause happens unexpectedly given the first clause.
- -ㄴ/은Adjective Noun Modifier
The conjugation for adjectives in -는 반면에 uses the adjectival noun modifier form -(으)ㄴ. Understanding how to form -(으)ㄴ is essential for correctly using this pattern with adjectives.