4 · Linking clauses, further
Whereas, on the other hand: 반면에
contrast between two facts
반면에 sets two facts against each other — one side, and the opposite side.
반면 is a noun, “the other side”, so the verb before it takes a modifier and 반면에 is written as a separate word. An action verb takes -는: 먹는 반면에, 좋아하는 반면에. An adjective takes its ordinary modifier: 싼 반면에, 작은 반면에. For something that has already happened, a verb takes the past modifier: 늘어난 반면에. After a noun it is 인 반면에. The 에 may be dropped.
It sets two facts side by side and stresses that they point in opposite directions: two sides of one thing (이 동네는 조용한 반면에 교통이 불편해요) or two different things compared (형은 키가 큰 반면에 동생은 작아요). Both facts are true, and neither cancels the other.
It belongs to careful speech and to writing: reports, presentations, the news, essays that weigh pros and cons. At the start of a sentence, 반면에 means “on the other hand”. In everyday conversation -지만 or -는데 does the same job with less ceremony.
The mistake English speakers make is with the modifier. An adjective such as 비싸다 does not take -는: it is 비싼 반면에, not 비싸는 반면에. Only words ending in 있다 and 없다 — 맛있다, 재미없다 — take -는 although they describe a state.
The form
| action verb | 먹는 반면에, 사는 반면에 |
| action verb, already happened | 늘어난 반면에 |
| adjective | 싼 반면에, 작은 반면에 |
| words in 있다 and 없다 | 맛있는 반면에 |
| after a noun | 학생인 반면에 |
| at the start of a sentence | 반면에 겨울은 짧아요. |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
An action verb takes -는 before 반면에, and an adjective takes its ordinary modifier.
형은 운동을 좋아하는 반면에 저는 책을 좋아해요.My brother likes sport, whereas I like books.
For something that has already happened, a verb takes the past modifier.
수출은 늘어난 반면에 수입은 줄었습니다.Exports rose, whereas imports fell.
It sets two true facts side by side; neither cancels the other.
이 도시는 교통이 편리한 반면에 공기가 안 좋아요.This city has good transport, but the air is poor.
At the start of a sentence, 반면에 means “on the other hand”.
여름은 낮이 길어요. 반면에 겨울은 낮이 짧아요.In summer the days are long. In winter, on the other hand, they are short.
It belongs to careful speech and writing, such as a presentation or a report.
이 노트북은 가벼운 반면에 화면이 작습니다.This laptop is light, but its screen is small.
A closer look
반면에, 대신에 and -지만
All three join two facts that pull in different directions. -지만 is the everyday “but” and makes no claim about how the facts relate. 대신에 says that one makes up for the other — a trade-off. 반면에 simply puts them opposite each other, as two sides of a comparison.
So 월급이 적은 대신에 휴가가 길어요 weighs the low pay against the long holiday, as if one were the price of the other, while 월급이 적은 반면에 휴가가 길어요 describes the job as it is, the way a report would. In a conversation, 월급은 적지만 휴가가 길어요 is what most people would say.
Exceptions and special cases (1)
-
the word ends in 있다 or 없다 (맛있다, 재미없다)
it takes -는 반면에, like an action verb.
이 영화는 재미있는 반면에 너무 길어요.This film is entertaining, but far too long.
Before a noun, 있다 and 없다 always take -는: 맛있는 음식, 재미없는 영화. The compounds built on them inherit it.
How to spot it
- 반면에
- 반면
- -는 반면에
Example sentences
이 식당은 음식이 맛있는 반면에 서비스가 느려요.At this restaurant the food is delicious, but the service is slow.
저는 아침에 일찍 일어나는 반면에 남편은 늦게 일어나요.I get up early in the morning, whereas my husband gets up late.
도시는 일자리가 많은 반면에 생활비가 많이 들어요.Cities have plenty of jobs, but living costs are high.
그 학생은 말하기는 잘하는 반면에 쓰기는 약해요.That student speaks well, but writing is a weak point.
올해는 비가 적게 온 반면에 기온은 높았어요.This year there was little rain, whereas temperatures were high.
이 약은 효과가 빠른 반면에 부작용이 있을 수 있어요.This medicine works fast, but it can have side effects.
7 more example sentences
언니는 성격이 활발한 반면에 저는 조용한 편이에요.My older sister is outgoing, whereas I am rather quiet.
이 동네는 집값이 싼 반면에 교통이 불편합니다.Housing is cheap in this area, but transport is inconvenient.
인터넷 쇼핑은 편리한 반면에 물건을 직접 볼 수 없어요.Online shopping is convenient, but you cannot see the goods in person.
형은 키가 큰 반면에 동생은 작아요.The older brother is tall, whereas the younger one is short.
이 일은 월급이 많은 반면에 스트레스가 심해요.This job pays well, but it is very stressful.
시골은 공기가 맑은 반면에 병원이 멀어요.In the countryside the air is clean, but hospitals are far away.
작년에는 관광객이 줄어든 반면에 올해는 많이 늘었습니다.Visitor numbers fell last year, whereas this year they have risen sharply.
Worth knowing (1)
-
Without 에, in writing
In written reports and essays the 에 is very often left out, and the sentence ends in the plain written style. The meaning does not change.
이 방법은 간단한 반면 시간이 오래 걸린다.This method is simple, but it takes a long time.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
비싸다 is an adjective, and adjectives do not take -는 before a noun: 비싼 가방, 비싼 반면에. The same choice of modifier applies before every such noun in this area — 대신에, 덕분에, 반면에.
Banmyeone holds two facts apart: adjectives take -n, action verbs take -neun.
Your turn
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