How to use 一方面…另一方面…
一方面 + Aspect A，(另)一方面 + Aspect B
一方面 introduces one aspect of a situation, and 另一方面 introduces another. The shorter repeated 一方面 is also common. This structure helps organize reasons, benefits, drawbacks, or conflicting feelings without reducing them to a simple single judgment. Both clauses should concern the same overall issue, even when they make different kinds of point.
The two aspects need not oppose each other. They may offer two advantages, two problems, or a reason for and against an action. 也, 还, and 又 often appear in the second clause to show how its contribution connects to the first. Keep subjects and predicates explicit enough that the reader can tell which aspect each clause is developing.
Examples with pinyin and English
自己做饭一方面健康， 一方面还能省点钱。
On one hand, cooking for yourself is healthy; on the other hand, it can also help to save some money.
他一方面想改变， 一方面又害怕改变。
On the one hand, he wants to change; on the other hand, he's afraid of change.
我们一方面不想这样做， 一方面必须这样做。
On the one hand, we don't want to do it this way; on the other hand, we must do it this way.
抽烟一方面对自己有害， 一方面对身边的人也有害。
On one hand, smoking can do harm to the smoker himself; on the other hand, it can also do harm to people around him.
用智能手机一方面很方便， 另一方面也很容易浪费时间。
On the one hand, using smart phones is very convenient; on the other hand, they also make it very easy to waste a lot of time.
What to remember
- Use each phrase to introduce a separate aspect.
- The aspects may agree or conflict.
- Keep both points connected to one overall issue.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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