反面(はんめん)

はんめん
noun, adverb
on the other hand; while; reverse side
formaldescriptive
1. on the other hand; while; at the same time
Used to introduce a contrasting aspect or perspective. Indicates that something has both a positive and negative side.
便利(べんり)な反面(はんめん)、危険(きけん)もある。
While convenient, there are also dangers.
彼(かれ)は優(やさ)しい反面(はんめん)、頑固(がんこ)な面(めん)もある。
While he is kind, he also has a stubborn side.
反面教師(はんめんきょうし)として学(まな)ぶ。
To learn from someone as a negative example.
2. reverse side; other side
The opposite or back side of something.
物事(ものごと)の反面(はんめん)を見(み)る。
To see the other side of things.
成功(せいこう)の反面(はんめん)にはリスクもある。
On the flip side of success, there are also risks.
自由(じゆう)の反面(はんめん)には責任(せきにん)が伴(ともな)うことを忘(わす)れてはいけない。
We must not forget that responsibility comes with the other side of freedom.

反面(はんめん) presents contrasting aspects of the same thing — acknowledging that something has both a positive and a negative side.

Common patterns

Common expressions

反面教師(はんめんきょうし): a negative example — someone whose mistakes you learn from. A very well-known compound.

Similar words

  • 一方(いっぽう)で: 'on the other hand' (more neutral, can introduce unrelated contrast)
  • その反面(はんめん): 'conversely' (used to introduce the contrasting point)
  • 半面(はんめん): 'half the face' — a different word with different kanji

Register

Slightly formal. Common in writing and structured speech.

Related Words

Compare: 一方(いっぽう) (on the other hand)
general
Added 2026.1.16 23:51 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
05500/05934_hanmen