一方で
On the other hand, At the same time, While
Structure
［い］Adjective + 一方（で）
［な］Adjective + な(1) + 一方（で）
Noun + の(1) + 一方（で）
Phrase。 一方(2) + Phrase
(1) である
(2) その一方(で)
Explanation
一方で is formed by combining the noun 一方, which means 'one side', with the case marking particle で. It functions as a conjunction to mean 'on the other hand', 'meanwhile', or 'while'.
一方で can be placed after the attributive form of a word, or it can be used to begin a new clause or sentence.
- この仕事は給料が高い一方で、残業が多い。While this job has a high salary, it also has a lot of overtime.
- 都会での生活は便利な一方で、ストレスがたまりやすいです。City life is convenient, but on the other hand, it's easy to get stressed out.
- 兄は社交的な一方で、弟は無口です。My older brother is very sociable, but on the other hand, my younger brother is quiet.
- 彼女は母親である一方で、会社の社長でもある。She is a mother, while at the same time being the president of a company.
- 一方で、ガソリンの値段は上がり続けている。On the other hand, the price of gasoline continues to rise. (This would follow a sentence with contrasting information)
Since 一方で literally refers to 'one side', it indicates that there is another 'side' to the situation, which is then presented for the sake of comparison or contrast.
Caution
It's important not to confuse 一方で with the similar-looking grammar point 一方だ. The former, which uses the particle で, introduces a contrasting idea ('on the one hand'). The latter, which uses the auxiliary verb だ (or its continuative で form), describes an ongoing trend ('to only continue to...').
- 新しい商品の売り上げは伸びている一方で、古い商品の売り上げは落ちている。Sales for the new product are growing, but on the other hand, sales for the old product are declining.
- 彼は日本語を一生懸命勉強している一方で、会話はなかなか上手にならない。He studies Japanese diligently, yet at the same time, his conversation skills aren't improving much.
In most cases, the surrounding context will make it clear whether the particle で or the continuative form of だ is being used.
Examples
このスマホは安い一方で、バッテリーの持ちが悪い。
This smartphone is cheap, but on the other hand, its battery life is poor.
兄は一日中テレビを見ている一方で、私は家事を全部やらなければならない。
My older brother watches TV all day, while I have to do all the housework.
都会での生活は便利な一方で、騒音がひどくストレスがたまりやすい。
Life in the city is convenient, but on the other hand, the noise is terrible and it's easy to get stressed out.
子供の数が減っていく一方で、高齢者は増え続けている。
The number of children continues to decrease, while on the other hand, the elderly population keeps increasing.
在宅ワークは快適である一方で、孤独になりやすいという問題もある。
Working from home is comfortable, but on the other hand, there's also the problem that you can easily become lonely.
新しい店長は厳しい一方で、とても親切でもある。
The new manager is strict, but at the same time, she is also very kind.
彼は明るく振る舞っている一方で、実は多くの悩みを抱えている。
He acts cheerful, but on the other hand, he's actually carrying a lot of worries.
このマンションは眺めが良い一方で、家賃がかなり高い。
This apartment has a great view, but on the other hand, the rent is quite expensive.
ダイエットしたいと思う一方で、つい甘いものを食べてしまう。
On the one hand I want to go on a diet, but on the other hand I just can't help eating sweets.
世界には十分に食べられない人々がいる一方で、フードロスが深刻な問題となっている国もある。
While there are people in the world who can't get enough to eat, food waste is a serious problem in other countries.
一人旅は自由な一方で、時々寂しくなることもある。
Traveling alone is freeing, but on the other hand, it can sometimes get lonely.
若者は田舎を離れていく一方で、都会から移住して農業を始める人もいる。
While young people are leaving the countryside, there are also people moving from the city to start farming.