一方面…(另)一方面…
HSK 4- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used to enumerate two aspects or two sides (which may be contrasting) of the same issue or situation.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The structure 一方面…(另)一方面… is similar to saying "on one hand..., on the other hand..." in English. It is used to present two different aspects of the same thing, person, or situation. The two aspects may complement each other or even be in opposition.
The character 另 (lìng), meaning "other/another," can be added before the second 一方面 to emphasize the distinction, but it is not required.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他一方面想去旅游，另一方面又担心花钱。繁: 他一方面想去旅遊，另一方面又擔心花錢。Tā yī fāngmiàn xiǎng qù lǚyóu, lìng yī fāngmiàn yòu dānxīn huā qián.
He wants to travel on one hand, but on the other hand he worries about spending money.
- 这份工作一方面工资高，另一方面压力大。繁: 這份工作一方面工資高，另一方面壓力大。Zhè fèn gōngzuò yī fāngmiàn gōngzī gāo, lìng yī fāngmiàn yālì dà.
This job offers high salary on one hand, but great pressure on the other hand.
- 学中文一方面很有趣，一方面也挺难的。繁: 學中文一方面很有趣，一方面也挺難的。Xué Zhōngwén yī fāngmiàn hěn yǒuqù, yī fāngmiàn yě tǐng nán de.
Learning Chinese is interesting in one respect, but quite difficult in another.
- 妈妈一方面希望我结婚，一方面又怕我受苦。繁: 媽媽一方面希望我結婚，一方面又怕我受苦。Māma yī fāngmiàn xīwàng wǒ jiéhūn, lìng yī fāngmiàn yòu pà wǒ shòukǔ.
On one hand, my mother hopes I'll get married, but on the other hand, she's afraid I'll suffer.
- 这个城市一方面很现代，另一方面也保留了很多古迹。繁: 這個城市一方面很現代，另一方面也保留了很多古蹟。Zhège chéngshì yī fāngmiàn hěn xiàndài, lìng yī fāngmiàn yě bǎoliúle hěn duō gǔjì.
This city is modern in one respect, yet preserves many ancient historical sites on the other hand.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:一方面我喜欢看书，另一方面他喜欢运动。Correct:我一方面喜欢看书，另一方面也喜欢运动。
This structure is used to describe two aspects of the same subject. It cannot be used to connect two clauses with different subjects.
- Wrong:我一方面学习汉语。Correct:我一方面学习汉语，一方面打工赚钱。
This is a paired structure that requires both components to express two aspects of the issue; using only one component results in an incomplete sentence.