Japanese grammar

What does ～いっぽうで mean? Japanese grammar N2

～いっぽうで means on one hand… on the other hand…; while, whereas (two parallel or contrasting things).

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N2
Structure	動詞・い形普通形 + 一方(いっぽう) な形な + 一方(いっぽう) N である + 一方(いっぽう)
Romaji	ippoude
Meaning	on one hand… on the other hand…; while, whereas (two parallel or contrasting things)

Forming it

Verb	輸出が伸びる + 一方で
na-adjective	活発な + 一方で

How to use it

States two aspects or two parallel/contrasting facts; can compare TWO different subjects. Written style, neutral.

「～一方(いっぽう)」 places two aspects or two facts SIDE BY SIDE: one is like this, the other like that. It can be contrastive or simply parallel.
Broader than 「反面」: 「一方で」 can compare TWO different subjects (older brother ↔ younger brother), whereas 「反面」 only contrasts two sides of the same subject.
Distinguish from 「～一方だ」 (a ONE-DIRECTION trend: "more and more...") — a completely different meaning and usage.

Examples

兄(あに)は活発(かっぱつ)な一方(いっぽう)で、弟(おとうと)はおとなしい。
The older brother is lively, while the younger one is quiet.
輸出(ゆしゅつ)が伸(の)びる一方(いっぽう)で、輸入(ゆにゅう)は減(へ)っている。
Exports are growing, while imports are declining.

Keep in mind

Na-adjectives connect with 「な」; nouns connect with 「である」.
「で」 can be omitted, but written language usually keeps 「一方で」.

Common mistakes

Wrong便利(べんり)一方(いっぽう)で、値段(ねだん)が高(たか)い。

On one hand it's convenient, on the other hand the price is high.

Correct便利(べんり)な一方(いっぽう)で、値段(ねだん)が高(たか)い。

A na-adjective connects with 「な」 before 「一方で」.
Wrong物価(ぶっか)は上(あ)がる一方(いっぽう)で。

Prices just keep rising.

Correct物価(ぶっか)は上(あ)がる一方(いっぽう)だ。

The meaning "more and more..." (one direction) uses 「一方だ」; 「一方で」 states two parallel aspects/facts.

Exam tips

「一方で」 = two parallel or contrasting aspects/facts (broader than 「反面」).

Related patterns

All N2 grammar →