This grammar shows two different things happening. It can show two opposite ideas. Or it can show two sides of the same thing.
Verb [dictionary form] + 一方でPrimary
い-Adjective + 一方で
な-Adjective + な + 一方で
Noun + である + 一方で
な-Adjective + である + 一方で
This grammar shows two different things happening. It can show two opposite ideas. Or it can show two sides of the same thing.
彼は仕事に熱心な一方で、家族との時間も大切にしている。
On one hand he is dedicated to his work, but on the other hand he also cherishes time with his family.
祖父は厳しい一方で、とても優しい人だった。
On one hand my grandfather was strict, but on the other hand he was a very kind person.
彼の計画は独創的である一方、あまり現実的ではない。
While his plan is original, on the other hand it's not very realistic.
彼は医者である。一方で、小説家としても活動している。
He is a doctor. On the other hand, he is also active as a novelist.
ゲームは面白い一方で、やりすぎると目に悪いよ。
Games are fun, but on the other hand, if you play them too much it's bad for your eyes.
This grammar shows two different things. They can be opposites. Or they can be two things happening at the same time. Think of it like looking at two sides of a coin.
This is different from 「〜反面」 (hanmen). That phrase shows two sides of the same thing. Often, one side is good and the other is bad. 「その一方で」 (sono ippou de) is like this phrase. But it starts a new sentence. It contrasts with the whole sentence before it. 「〜他方で」 (tahou de) is a more formal way to say the same thing.
Don't use this when you talk about two different people. For example, 'I like apples, while he likes oranges' is not the best use.
Often confused with(1)
Less formal alternatives(3)
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